2,074-page healthcare bill unveiled in US Senate

WASHINGTON: US Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid released a long-awaited healthcare reform plan late on Wednesday that budget analysts said would extend coverage to tens of millions of the uninsured and reduce the deficit over 10 years.

After weeks of closed-door talks to combine two Senate measures, the publication of Reid's 2,074-page bill quickly set off what promises to be a lengthy and bitter debate over President Barack Obama's top domestic priority.

"Tonight begins the last leg of this journey," Reid said after meeting privately with Senate Democrats.