News
Debate under way on historic health overhaul legislation in House of Representatives
The House has opened debate on President Barack Obama's landmark health care overhaul that would extend insurance to tens of millions of Americans and enact dramatic changes to the country's medical system.
In the opening moments of debate, Democrats hailed the legislation as an advance for the nation's social fabric and a moral and economic imperative.
Republicans said it would be a government takeover of the health care system that would damage the economy and erode the doctor-patient relationship.
The vote planned for late Saturday was expected to be tight. Democratic leaders hoped a late-morning visit by Obama to Capitol Hill would push it over the edge.
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Disclaimer: the news stories on Cox.com are the work of leading news organizations whose services are purchased to populate Cox.com with news as a service to our customers. Views and opinions presented in the news are not necessarily the views of Cox Communications.
