US Senate passes key health bill

US senators have passed the final senate version of a historic healthcare reform bill.



The bill aims to cover 31 million uninsured Americans and could lead to the biggest change in US healthcare in decades.



President Barack Obama has welcomed the passage of the bill as offering real and meaningful reform, saying it is the most important piece of social legislation since the 1930s.



However, it must still be reconciled with more expansive legislation passed by the House of Representatives.



The process of reconciling the two bills is expected to begin in January and will require further tough negotiations.



Once that has been done, Mr. Obama will be able to sign the measure into law.