GOP Changes Force Health Bill Back to House

Senate changes in the nation's health reform measure now mean it must go back to the House for another vote, something Democrats had hoped to avoid. Senate Republicans uncovered two "minor provisions" in the measure at odds with budget law, according to a spokesman for majority leader Harry Reid. Once both provisions dealing with Pell grants for low-income college students are deleted by the Senate, the House must vote again on the measure.

It wasn't immediately clear if the new vote could open a door to a new challenge to the reform package. House leaders expect the changes to pass, Reid aide John Manley told MSNBC, and indicated the changes will not alter the policy or cost of the bill. Both chambers are hoping to begin a spring recess this weekend. President Obama signed the main legislation overhauling the nation's health care system on Tuesday.
(More health care measure stories.)