A victory was gained for Democrats in the Senate yesterday when the Senate Finance Committee approved a healthcare reform measure. The measure was approved by a 14-9 vote, with Republican Senator Olympia Snowe voting in favor. As the first Republican in the Senate to endorse a healthcare reform measure, Senator Snowe said that her vote was made with reservations, and does not necessarily reflect the way she will vote in the future. Most Republicans continue to lambast the bill, calling it too costly, and too heavy-handed (i.e. too much government intervention). Several private health insurance stocks fell after the committee's vote was announced.
See "Senate panel backs healthcare reform", John Whitesides & Donna Smith, Reuters, October 13, 2009