Senators appealed to two potent political constituencies in the health reform debate, with Democrats seeking additional medical benefits for women and Republicans vowing to preserve and protect Medicare for older Americans, the New York Times reports. The Democrats' first amendment would require insurers to cover more screenings and preventive care for women, with no co-payments. The first Republican proposal would strip the bill of more than $450 billion of proposed savings in Medicare. The savings would curb the growth of Medicare payments to hospitals, nursing homes, health maintenance organizations, and other providers of care.
