Republican's vote lifts Senate Finance Committee health bill, but hurdles remain

Senator Olympia J. Snowe, Republican of Maine, cast her vote with Democrats as the Senate Finance Committee approved legislation to remake the U.S. healthcare system and provide coverage to millions of the uninsured. With Snowe's support, the committee backed the $829 billion measure by a vote of 14 to 9, with all the other Republicans opposed. With its vote, the Finance Committee became the fifth and final Congressional panel to approve a sweeping healthcare bill. The action will now move to the floors of the House and the Senate, where the healthcare measures still face significant hurdles.