美国参议院通过了全面医疗改革法案。该法案将向大约3千万没有保险的美国人提供医疗保险。在星期四清晨进行的投票中，参议院以60票对39票通过医疗改革法案。这次投票以党派划分，参议院少数党共和党一致反对该法案。法案的通过象征总统奥巴马及其民主党人的胜利。总统奥巴马及其民主党人将医疗改革视为优先考虑的立法。
奥巴马总统在白宫说，参议院通过的法案内容包括了前所未有让保险业负责的一些严厉措施。法案还禁止保险公司以投保人病史为由拒绝投保。在法案呈交总统签字使之生效前，参议院和众议院必须把协调两院各自不同的文本。两种版本在一些关键问题上所分歧，意味着双方达成让步可能需要时间。
The U.S. Senate has approved sweeping new health care reform legislation that would extend health insurance access to about 30 million uninsured Americans.In an early morning vote Thursday, senators approved the bill 60 to 39 along party lines, with minority Republicans unanimously opposed.The passage represents a victory for President Barack Obama and his fellow Democrats, who had made health care reform a major legislative priority.
Speaking at the White House, Mr. Obama said the legislation passed in the Senate includes the “toughest measures ever taken to hold the insurance industry accountable”.In addition to extending insurance coverage, the legislation would ban insurance companies from denying benefits because of pre-existing medical conditions.
Before the president can sign the bill into law, the Senate and the House of Representatives must reconcile their two separate versions of the bill. The two versions differ on several key points, meaning a compromise could take time.