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US Congress approves changes to new healthcare law

(Agencies)
Updated: 2010-03-26 09:28
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US Congress approves changes to new healthcare law
US President Barack Obama arrives onstage to speak on health care reform at the University of Iowa in Iowa City March 25, 2010. [Agencies]

WASHINGTON - The US Congress gave final approval on Thursday to a package of changes to President Barack Obama's landmark healthcare reforms and sent it to Obama to sign into law.

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The House of Representatives put the finishing touches on Obama's healthcare overhaul by passing a package to make insurance more affordable, raise taxes on the wealthy and close a gap for prescription drug coverage for seniors.

The Senate approved the package earlier in the day on a 56-43 vote. The votes concluded a yearlong political struggle that tied up lawmakers, dented Obama's popularity and set the stage for a bitter campaign for control of Congress in November.

 
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