
WASHINGTON, Nov. 24, 2009
(CBS) Congress has begun its Thanksgiving break, with Senate Democrats going home thankful they cleared a major hurdle on health care reform after voting to open a floor debate when they get back next week.
Meanwhile, debate continues all over the airwaves about what the House and Senate bills would really mean for ordinary Americans. CBS News congressional correspondent Nancy Cordes has a reality check.
Add the Senate and House bills together and they are 4,064 pages worth of reforms that Democrats say will revolutionize the health care system and Republicans say will bankrupt it.
No wonder many Americans have doubts. Citizens told us they think Congress is "Rushing it through. They should give it more thought," and, "I don't think I want a public option because I don't think the government handles things too well."
Concerns run so deep, that the most recent CBS News poll shows only 40 percent of Americans approve of the proposed health care plans in Congress while 45 percent disapprove.
Special Report: Health Care Reform
Polls show one of their main concerns is the price tag: around $1 trillion over 10 years. Reality check takes a closer look.
Claim: The health care proposals will boost the deficit >>>




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