Health care reform geared up for key vote

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama's health reform drive got a shot in the arm Thursday as a Senate panel scheduled a key vote and the House of Representatives made progress toward finalizing a bill.

The Senate Finance Committee set for Tuesday a vote that would end several months of debate to reach a compromise on the health care overhaul that is a domestic priority of Obama's young administration. The Democratic majority hopes to gain the support of at least some Republicans.

The decision came a day after analysts at the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) said the draft bill would reduce the budget deficit by 81 billion dollars over 10 years at a total cost of 829 billion dollars.

The findings paved the way for a floor debate and vote in the full Senate.

Republicans, who have warned the bill could raise costs and increase the budget deficit, had required the budget estimate before they cast a vote.

Obama has placed his political viability on the line to reform a health care system beset by fast-rising costs that leave 46 million people in the United States without coverage.

Key House Democrats are seeking to merge three bills for a debate and vote in the full chamber.