President Barack Obama's health care initiative has cleared its first big hurdle in the House, with lawmakers voting to advance the debate. The House voted 242-192 in favor of a must-pass procedural measure setting the terms for the debate. All 177 Republicans, joined by Democrats, voted to block the debate. With Obama urging them on in a rare personal visit to Capitol Hill, Democrats pushed toward a final vote late Saturday on the bill, which would reshape the U.S. health care system and extend coverage to millions of the uninsured.
Longtime former San Francisco Chronicle foreign correspondent Frank Viviano offers CBS5.com's readers in the Bay Area and beyond his unique perspective on world affairs.
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