Today the Senate Finance Committee approved Healthcare Reform Legislation sponsored by Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT).  The 14-9 vote was along party lines with the exception of Republican Senator Olympia Snowe of Maine, who was the only Republican to vote with the majority party Democratic Senators.

The Finance Committee approval of the $829 billion healthcare overhaul measure is a watershed moment in the healthcare debate.  At $829 billion, the plan meets President Obama's budget constraints.   

Politically, the vote is a victory for Democrats, including the President, who have sought a bipartisan compromise bill.  Likewise, Republicans, including Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) have suffered a setback in losing the Republican Conference unanimity in opposition.      

Now a greater task is ahead for Senate leaders who must begin work to reconcile Baucus' bill with one sponsored by Senator Dodd (D-CN) which passed the Health Committee earlier this year.  As the two bills move to the floor of the Senate, the White House, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NM), and Senators Baucus and Dodd will take a central role in the negotiations.     

A factor in those negotiations will be positions staked out by proposals pending across the Capitol in the House of Representatives.  Several House Committees have passed legislation, and differences over how to finance the various proposals will bring divisions within the Congress to the forefront.

You can follow all of this action and review the progression of the Healthcare Reform debate by visiting the Nelson Mullins Healthcare Reform Library  at www.nelsonmullins.com/pages.cfm/Healthcare_Library