US Senate Democrats pushed to make insurance reforms more affordable for workers and Republicans decried what they called a rush to judgment as debate opened today on a sweeping healthcare overhaul.
Senate Finance Committee Democrats said low- and middle-class families would pay too much under Chairman Max Baucus's plan, and Republicans complained they were being pressured into hasty decisions after months of bipartisan negotiations failed.
Committee members will consider some 564 potential amendments to the proposal over the next few days as the raging battle over President Barack Obama's top domestic priority entered a new phase in Congress.
"The cry of impatience has won out," said Senator Charles Grassley, the panel's senior Republican and a member of the "Gang of Six" negotiators who failed to reach agreement. "They have put moving quickly over moving correctly."
But Mr Baucus said it was time to move ahead on a revamp of the $2.5 trillion healthcare industry, which is Mr Obama's top domestic priority. The finance panel is the last of five congressional committees to take up a healthcare bill.
He said his "common-sense" plan took the best ideas of lawmakers in both parties with the goal of attracting the 60 votes needed to overcome procedural hurdles in the 100-member Senate.
"This is our opportunity to make history," Mr Baucus said. "The question is whether we can seize the opportunity and change things for the better."
Mr Obama has pushed for a sweeping healthcare overhaul that would rein in costs, create competition for insurers and expand coverage to many of the 46 million uninsured people living in the United States.
Reuters