The full text of the Senate health reform bill is online [PDF], all 2074 pages of it. This practically begs for Senate debate — sooner rather than later. Apparently, according to Iowa Dem. Senator Tom Harkin, the party is “close” to obtaining its 60 votes to avoid a Repub. filibuster, paving the way for debate.

Earlier, on Wednesday evening, the CBO scored the bill, and Majority Leader Reid (D-NV) is pleased with it.

[T]he bill would ensure that 94% of those living in the U.S., not counting unauthorized immigrants, have insurance coverage, several Senate Democratic aides said. CBO previously estimated about 83% of Americans now have insurance.

Further, the Senate action supposedly would reduce the federal budget deficit by $127 billion over the next decade, and by $650 billion over the second ten years of the program but not without hiking Medicare payroll taxes in the process. This little proviso is just another bee in the bonnet of senate Republicans who essentially abhor the bill as it is written and adds fuel to their concerns that the government is rendering Medicare increasingly less affordable and accessible to beneficiaries at the expense of subsidizing a public option for all patient demographics.

If Harkin is correct in his predictions, Wednesday’s development could lead to a floor vote by this weekend, allowing for a much anticipated, vigorous debate.

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