US Senate panel backs healthcare reform with a little help from a Republican

WASHINGTON: A key US Senate committee endorsed a sweeping healthcare overhaul late on Tuesday, gaining the support of an influential Republican and delivering President Barack Obama a victory on his top domestic priority.

The Democratic-controlled Senate Finance Committee approved the measure on a 14-9 vote, with Senator Olympia Snowe becoming the first Republican in Congress to back a healthcare reform bill.

"Today we reached a critical milestone in our effort to reform our healthcare system," Obama said after the vote, warning there were still big challenges ahead. The bill, the last of five pending health measures to clear a committee in Congress, will be merged with the Senate health panel's version in the next few weeks for a full Senate debate and floor votes.