By John Whitesides
WASHINGTON, Nov 21 (Reuters) - A broad healthcare overhaul was poised to clear its first U.S. Senate hurdle on Saturday as the last two wavering Democrats said they would vote to begin debate on the legislation, giving them the 60 votes they need.
Senators Blanche Lincoln and Mary Landrieu ended days of uncertainty and said they would support a procedural motion on Saturday to open debate to reform the $2.5 trillion healthcare system -- the bill's first crucial test vote.
The healthcare overhaul, President Barack Obama's top domestic priority, would expand coverage to millions of uninsured and bar insurance practices like denying coverage to those with pre-existing conditions.
The stakes are high for Obama in the 8 p.m. EST (0100 GMT on Sunday) vote, with his political standing and legislative agenda at risk less than a year into his term.
Democrats need 60 votes to approve the motion in the 100-member Senate and have no margin for error -- they control exactly 60 votes and Republicans are united in opposition.
Landrieu and Lincoln, moderate Democrats from conservative Southern states where the overhaul is unpopular, had been the last uncommitted Democrats on moving the bill to the floor.
Both said they wanted the debate to begin but they could not commit to supporting the final bill without significant changes.
'Although I don't agree with everything in this bill, I have concluded that I believe that it is more important that we begin this debate to improve our nation's healthcare system for all Americans rather than just simply drop the issue and walk away,' Lincoln said on the Senate floor.
Landrieu said she wanted changes to make healthcare more affordable, ease the burden on small businesses and rein in the growth of costs.
'It is a vote to move forward to continue the good and essential and important and imperative work that is underway,' she said earlier on the Senate floor.
Republicans have condemned the measure as a costly and heavy-handed government intrusion in the private sector that would raise insurance premiums and increase taxes.
(Editing by Vicki Allen and Sandra Maler) Keywords: USA HEALTHCARE/ (john.whitesides@thomsonreuters.com; +1 202-898-8300; Reuters Messaging: john.whitesides.reuters.com@reuters.net) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2009. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.
WASHINGTON, Nov 21 (Reuters) - A broad healthcare overhaul was poised to clear its first U.S. Senate hurdle on Saturday as the last two wavering Democrats said they would vote to begin debate on the legislation, giving them the 60 votes they need.
Senators Blanche Lincoln and Mary Landrieu ended days of uncertainty and said they would support a procedural motion on Saturday to open debate to reform the $2.5 trillion healthcare system -- the bill's first crucial test vote.
The healthcare overhaul, President Barack Obama's top domestic priority, would expand coverage to millions of uninsured and bar insurance practices like denying coverage to those with pre-existing conditions.
The stakes are high for Obama in the 8 p.m. EST (0100 GMT on Sunday) vote, with his political standing and legislative agenda at risk less than a year into his term.
Democrats need 60 votes to approve the motion in the 100-member Senate and have no margin for error -- they control exactly 60 votes and Republicans are united in opposition.
Landrieu and Lincoln, moderate Democrats from conservative Southern states where the overhaul is unpopular, had been the last uncommitted Democrats on moving the bill to the floor.
Both said they wanted the debate to begin but they could not commit to supporting the final bill without significant changes.
'Although I don't agree with everything in this bill, I have concluded that I believe that it is more important that we begin this debate to improve our nation's healthcare system for all Americans rather than just simply drop the issue and walk away,' Lincoln said on the Senate floor.
Landrieu said she wanted changes to make healthcare more affordable, ease the burden on small businesses and rein in the growth of costs.
'It is a vote to move forward to continue the good and essential and important and imperative work that is underway,' she said earlier on the Senate floor.
Republicans have condemned the measure as a costly and heavy-handed government intrusion in the private sector that would raise insurance premiums and increase taxes.
(Editing by Vicki Allen and Sandra Maler) Keywords: USA HEALTHCARE/ (john.whitesides@thomsonreuters.com; +1 202-898-8300; Reuters Messaging: john.whitesides.reuters.com@reuters.net) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2009. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.