Senate Finance Committee vote slips as lawmakers wait for cost figures

Senate committee vote slips

WASHINGTON — It’s going to take a little longer for the last congressional committee writing health care legislation to finish its work.

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus of Montana had hoped for a final vote by his panel on Tuesday, but a cost analysis from the Congressional Budget Office isn’t ready yet. Committee aides say Wednesday would be the earliest Finance members can vote.

The $900-billion, 10-year measure would expand health insurance coverage, impose new taxes and fees, and make major changes to Medicare and Medicaid. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada says he wants to have a bill on the floor next week, but first he’d have to combine the Finance bill with one passed earlier by the health committee.