House opens debate on historic health bill

Toy shelves loaded with dangers to kids, group says
Updated 15 min. ago
4th Annual Holiday Song Contest taping tonight
12:17 p.m.
Clark County libraries to close for furloughs due to holidays, budget cuts
10:46 a.m.
Fatal crashes in Clark County down 70 percent
10:24 a.m.
Man reports ring stolen
8:27 a.m.
> More headlines

The Associated Press 9:21 AM Saturday, November 7, 2009

WASHINGTON — 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.

___

November 07, 2009 02:17 PM EST

Share this article