RKMBs Forums .::Important::. Politics and Current Events A right to Health Care

Budget Office Says Senate Bill Will Trim Deficit
By JANET ADAMY and JONATHAN WEISMAN
The latest Senate health bill will cost $829 billion over a decade and slightly reduce the federal budget deficit, congressional budget crunchers said Wednesday, marking a major step forward for Democrats' plans to overhaul American health care.

The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office found that the sweeping measure will cover 94% of nonelderly legal U.S. residents, up from about 83% currently. The bill will reduce the deficit by $81 billion over the 10-year period, owing to trims in Medicare spending and new taxes.

The widely awaited report paves the way for the Senate Finance Committee to approve its bill as soon as this week.

After appearing in peril in August, the health overhaul has cleared a series of hurdles in recent weeks that have given Democrats increased confidence they will pass a bill. Lobbyists on both sides of the issue have shifted their focus to what the bill will look like rather than questioning whether a measure can succeed.
...