Healthcare bill poised to pass U.S. Senate test

By John Whitesides

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A broad healthcare overhaul was poised to clear its first U.S. Senate hurdle on Saturday as the last wavering senators said they would vote to begin debate on the legislation, giving Democrats the 60 votes they need.

Democrats Blanche Lincoln and Mary Landrieu ended days of uncertainty and said they would support a procedural motion on Saturday to open debate to reform the $2.5 trillion (1.5 trillion British pounds) healthcare system -- the Senate bill's first crucial test vote.

The healthcare overhaul, President Barack Obama's top domestic priority, would expand coverage to millions of uninsured and bar insurance practices like denying coverage to those with pre-existing conditions.

The stakes are high for Obama in the healthcare debate, with his political standing and legislative agenda on the line less than a year into his first term.

Democrats need 60 votes to approve the motion in the 100-member Senate and have no margin for error -- they control exactly 60 votes and Republicans are united in opposition.

Landrieu and Lincoln, moderates from conservative Southern states where the overhaul is unpopular, were the last uncommitted Democrats on the 8 p.m. EST (1 a.m. British time) vote.

Both went to the Senate floor to say they wanted the debate to begin, but they could not commit to supporting the final bill without changes.

"Although I don't agree with everything in this bill, I have concluded that I believe that it is more important that we begin this debate to improve our nation's healthcare system for all Americans rather than just simply drop the issue and walk away," Lincoln said.