Health care may hit House, Senate floor mid-month

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http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091001/ap_on_go_co/us_health_care_overhaul

By DAVID ESPO, AP Special Correspondent David Espo, Ap Special Correspondent – 1 hr 1 min ago

WASHINGTON – Historic health care legislation could be on the floor of both houses of Congress as early as mid-October as Democrats work to answer President Barack Obama's call for greater protections for those who have unreliable insurance or no coverage at all.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said Wednesday the Senate debate could begin the week of Columbus Day, Oct. 12, even though lawmakers are scheduled to be on vacation at the time.

Democratic aides said the House was working on roughly the same timetable, although after months of missed deadlines, neither House Speaker Nancy Pelosi nor Reid would provide a detailed schedule.