Critics say many public health facilities already are under strain and fear more professionals will abandon the public system for private practice.

VOA: standard.2009.12.23

At an estimated $87 billion, the measure would expand health insurance coverage to about currently without it,create new private insurance marketplaces, And,like the slightly more expensive measure passed by the House of Representatives, it would end a practice by private insurance companies of denying coverage to individuals with existing health problems.

VOA: standard.2009.12.25