Women's Health Bolstered in Bill

The Senate is slowly chugging through the health-care bill, and on Thursday made symbolic progress by approving in a 61-39 vote a measure that would improve women's access to disease screenings. The development follows last month's controversial decision by two health groups to delay regular mammograms and pap smears. The amendment will increase women's access to screenings for diseases such as cancer and diabetes. While the move was a step forward for women's health, Medicare took a hit when the Senate voted 58-42 to cut more than $400 billion from the program that provides health care to the elderly. Two of the most contentious issues still lie in the road ahead: the public option and abortion coverage.