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The US Senate has narrowly voted to hold a full debate on a landmark bill designed to overhaul the country's healthcare.

All 58 Democrats, plus two independent senators, approved it. All but one of 40 Republican senators voted against.

Two Democratic senators whose support had been in doubt earlier said they would back the package, a key election pledge of President Barack Obama.

The White House said Mr Obama was "gratified" by the result.

A full Senate debate on healthcare reform will now begin on 30 November.

We're going to do anything and everything we can to prevent this measure from becoming law Mitch McConnell Republican Senate leader Q&A: US healthcare reform US healthcare: Who wants what?

The House of Representatives narrowly passed its own version of the reforms earlier this month.

The legislation - designed to secure coverage for millions of uninsured Americans - could lead to the biggest changes in US healthcare in decades, if approved.

Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid says his $849bn (£508bn) bill would extend coverage to another 31 million people, or 94% of eligible citizens.

The legislation, which was outlined in a 2,074-page document, is said by Democratic aides to reduce deficits by $127bn (£76bn) over a decade and by as much as $650bn (£389bn) in the 10 years after that.

'Historic'

But Republicans say it will be too expensive, and have vowed to block it. Fewer than 60 votes for the initial measure would have left the bill vulnerable to Republican delaying tactics.

NEXT STEPS 30 Nov - Senators return from Thanksgiving recess to debate and propose amendments to the bill At least three weeks later - Senators vote on final bill If passed, conference committee set up to reconcile Senate and House bills Both chambers vote on final version If passed, President Obama signs bill into law Q&A: US healthcare reform The US health system 'headache' US healthcare: Who wants what?

A White House spokesman said President Obama was "gratified that the Senate has acted to begin consideration of health insurance reform legislation".

"Tonight's historic vote brings us one step closer to ending insurance company abuses, reining in spiralling health care costs, providing stability and security to those with health insurance, and extending quality health coverage to those who lack it," said Robert Gibbs.

Speaking after the vote, Mr Reid said he was looking forward to the coming debate and to "finally bringing quality health care to the American people".

But Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell said he would continue to oppose the motion.

"The American people are asking us to stop this bill and we're going to do anything and everything we can to prevent this measure from becoming law," he said.

Efforts to get the vote passed had focused on three centrist Democrats - Ben Nelson of Nebraska, Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas and Mary Landrieu of Louisiana - who expressed doubts about the bill.

Sen Nelson said on Friday he would back the procedural vote, but Senators Lincoln and Landrieu declared themselves available only hours before it was due to take place.

'Deep reservations'

After confirming her support, Sen Lincoln said that it was important to start debating the issue and that Saturday's vote would "mark the beginning of consideration of this bill by the US Senate, not the end".

Senator Landrieu said there were "enough significant reforms and safeguards in this bill to move forward, but much more work needs to be done".

All three Democrats continue to have deep reservations about the bill.

The bill will face stiff opposition inside and outside Congress

Under the Senate bill, most Americans would have to have health insurance, while private insurers would be banned from refusing to provide insurance because applicants had pre-existing medical conditions.

Insurance would be made more affordable with subsidies available to help those in lower income bands, the Democrats say.

People would also be able to take part in new insurance market places and be able to choose to buy government-sold insurance from 2014, a provision intended to help regulate the prices charged by private companies.

Large companies would be required by law to provide coverage to staff. The costs would be covered by government cuts on future Medicare spending.

If the Senate eventually passes its bill, it must then be reconciled with the House of Representatives bill and voted on again before the programme can become law.

Mr Reid's bill differs to the House bill in that he calls for an increase of a half percentage point in Medicare payroll tax for people with an income of over $200,000 (£119,779) per annum - rising to $250,000 (£149,724) for couples.

There is also a tax on high-value insurance policies that is not contained in the House version of the bill.http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8372210.stm

Chinese Medicine May Provide Help Against The H1N1 Virus

By: Cathy Margolin L.A.c.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is used by more than 3 billion people in the world.As temperatures begin to drop and winter approaches the seasonal flu and H1N1 cases begin to spread. There may be another alternative to Tamiflu & flu vaccines to battle the virus.

Hong Kong based Rorric Bio-Technology Ltd. believes it may be able to offer a less invasive cure to H1N1 using Chinese Medicine. The Chairman of R&B Dr. Chow Ching-Fung says, “This formula is effective in two ways. First it combats and eliminates the virus. Second, it boosts the immune system, helping the patient to become stronger. Traditional Chinese medicine has a long history of being proven to have fewer side effects, as it uses herbal ingredients. But western medicine contains a mixture of chemicals from the manufacturing process. So the risks are higher.”

The formula is made of up 21 Chinese herbs. Dr. Chow says he has prescribed the formula to 100 patients suspected of contracting taking H1N1 and they have fully recovered after taking the formula. It’s currently in a powder form, but Dr. Chow says there may be a pill version in the future. Tests at the Wu Han Institute of Virology show that the formula is not only effective on H1N1 but also against other mutated forms of influenza A. Tests continue on 300 patients. If successful it will be the first Chinese Herbal prescription drug to cure H1N1.

Video interview of Dr. Chow on Chinese herbal formula for H1N1 flu watch here. 3 min.

* The Chinese Herbs used in the formula weren't disclosed, maybe because it's still in testing phase.

Cathy Margolin is a Licensed Acupuncturist in CA. She specializes in Chinese Herbs and her company PACHerbs.com caries high potency herbal products.

Acupuncture Blog Chicago

tcm007

The United States Senate is preparing to hold its first vote on a major bill designed to overhaul US healthcare provision.

The vote, which requires 60 out of the 100 Senate votes to pass, will decide whether Democrat leader Harry Reid's bill can go forward for debate.

The Democrats need the votes of two independents to make up the 60, as the chamber's 40 Republicans are opposed.

US President Barack Obama has made healthcare reform a domestic priority.

Mr Reid's proposed $849bn (£508bn) bill would extend coverage to another 31 million people, or 94% of eligible citizens, he said on Friday.

The country suffers when there is a failure to act on serious challenges that millions of ordinary Americans face in their daily lives Patrick Leahy Vermont Democrat

The legislation, which was outlined in a 2,074-page document, is said by Democratic aides to reduce deficits by $127bn (£76bn) over a decade and by as much as $650bn (£389bn) in the 10 years after that.

But it has been criticised by Republicans as being too expensive. They say they will block it, and debate is expected to be fiery.

Anything less than 60 votes for the initial measure will leave the bill vulnerable to Republican delaying tactics.

Efforts to get it passed have focused on three centrist Democrats - Ben Nelson of Nebraska, Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas and Mary Landrieu of Louisiana - who have expressed doubts about the bill.

Senators Nelson and Landrieu have now both said they will support their party in the test vote, but Senator Lincoln, who faces a difficult re-election battle next year, has made no public comment either way.

Correspondents say that if the measure fails at the first hurdle, it might not be the end of the bill but would push it well into next year.

It would also cast doubt on whether the Democrats will be able to find any genuine consensus on a final bill, they say.

The House of Representatives narrowly passed its own version of the reforms earlier this month.

Medicare cuts

Mr Reid opened the session by presenting highlights of the plan. A vote is not expected before 2000 local time (0100 GMT on Sunday).

NEXT STEPS 30 Nov - Senators return from Thanksgiving recess to debate and propose amendments to the bill At least three weeks later - Senators vote on final bill If passed, conference committee set up to reconcile Senate and House bills Both chambers vote on final version If passed, President Obama signs bill into law Q&A: US healthcare reform The US health system 'headache' US healthcare: Who wants what?

Patrick Leahy, a Democrat from Vermont, said it was vital to back the bill.

"The country suffers when there is a failure to act on serious challenges that millions of ordinary Americans face in their daily lives," he said.

But Republican leader Mitch McConnell urged Senators to vote against "this staggering spending programme at a time when many would argue our international bankers, the Chinese, are lecturing us about debt".

Under the bill, most Americans would have to have health insurance, while private insurers would be banned from refusing to provide insurance because applicants had pre-existing medical conditions.

Insurance would be made more affordable with subsidies available to help those in lower income bands, the Democrats say.

People would also be able to take part in new insurance market places and be able to choose to buy government-sold insurance from 2014, a provision intended to help regulate the prices charged by private companies.

Large companies would be required by law to provide coverage to staff. The costs would be covered by government cuts on future Medicare spending.

If the Senate passes its bill, it must then be reconciled with the House of Representatives bill and voted on again before the programme can become law.

Mr Reid's bill differs to the House bill in that he calls for an increase of a half percentage point in Medicare payroll tax for people with an income of over $200,000 (£119,779) per annum - rising to $250,000 (£149,724) for couples.

There is also a tax on high-value insurance policies that is not contained in the House version of the bill.

If approved, the legislation could lead to the biggest changes in American healthcare in decades.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8372210.stm