Senate Poised for Breakthrough Vote

Universal health coverage is about to take a big step forward: After months of deliberations, the Senate Finance Committee is poised to vote on health-care legislation. With a 13-to-10 seat advantage, the Democrats are expected to pass the bill, though it remains to be seen whether Republican Olympia Snowe will become the first Senate Republican to support the legislation. It will still be several months, however, before the bill hits President Obama’s desk, as the House and Senate have their work cut out for them. One of area of conflict between the two chambers is the “Cadillac” tax on high-cost plans in the Finance Committee’s bill.