Dems defeat GOP on restoring $40B in Medicare cuts

[cal04]

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_HEALTH_OVERHAUL_HOME_CARE?SITE=VTBUR&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

Senate Democrats have defeated a GOP attempt to eliminate $40 billion in cuts to home health care services in the health overhaul bill.

The 53-41 vote Saturday came during a rare weekend session to debate President Barack Obama's health legislation.

The vote was the latest Republican attempt to showcase the $460 billion in cuts to projected Medicare spending that Democrats want to make. Democrats plan to use that money to extend coverage to 30 million uninsured Americans over the next decade.

Democrats say their cuts would make Medicare stronger by eliminating overpayments and waste, and extending the program's long-term solvency.



http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_health_care_overhaul
(snip)
Four moderate Democrats joined all Republicans present in voting for the amendment: Sens. Jim Webb of Virginia, Evan Bayh of Indiana, Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas and Ben Nelson of Nebraska.

But the more consequential action was taking place behind closed doors Saturday as Democrats struggled to find a compromise on a proposed government insurance plan that would compete with private insurers. Several moderate Democrats are opposed to the government insurance plan in the bill, and Reid, D-Nev., doesn't have a vote to spare in his 60-member caucus.

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius joined in some discussions and several senators cited progress on the issue, perhaps in moving toward a plan that would be run by a nonprofit entity instead of the government.

[Drunken Irishman]

1. I thought Republicans were against big and wasteful spending?