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The US Senate has approved a comprehensive healthcare reform bill. Compared to an earlier bill authorized by the House of Representatives, the one passed by the Senate features different approaches on taxes, abortion and insurance.

The latest approval gives President Barack Obama a major victory in the central issue of his domestic policy, but still, Democratic and Republican negotiators face a tough task ahead to combine the two bills into one.

In a 60 to 39 vote Christmas Eve, Senate Democrats supported the most dramatic shifts in health policy in four decades. The bill will extend health coverage to more than 30 million people without insurance.

The House of Representatives approved its own version in November, that includes different approaches in some aspects. Negotiators from the House and Senate must agree on a single bill, before each chamber votes on it again. But the session fulfilled a pledge by Senator Harry Reid, the Democratic leader, to pass the bill in the Senate before Christmas.

US Senate majority leader Harry Reid (C) speaks during a news conference in Washington Dec. 24, 2009. [Zhang Yan/Xinhua]

Harry Reid, Senator, Democratic Leader, said, "Though one may slow the progress they can't stop it. And though one might slow the speed of progress its force cannot be stopped."

Republican opponents delayed the final vote to the last possible day under Senate rules. They did eventually acquiesce and agreed to an early-morning vote to allow people to head home for the holidays. But in the end, Senator Mitch McConnell conveyed that the fight against the bill is far from over.

Mitch Mcconnell, Senator Republican Leader, said, "I want to assure you, Mr.President, this fight isn't over. In fact, this fight is long from over. My colleagues and I will work to stop this bill from becoming law. That's the clear will of the American people and we are going to continue to fight on their behalf."

Passage of the bill is critical for Obama, whose political standing and legislative agenda could hinge on its success. Obama says supporters are "incredibly close" to enacting the reform package into law.

Barrack Obama, U.S. President, said, "With today's vote, we are now incredibly close to making health insurance reform a reality in this country. Our challenge then is to finish the job. We can't doom another generation of Americans to soaring costs and eroding coverage and exploding deficits. Instead, we need to do what we were sent here to do and improve the lives of the people we serve."

Experts say there will be tough negotiations ahead between the House and Senate to agree on a single bill, before it is sent to Obama for his signature. Democrats hope to finish work before Obama's State of the Union address in late January.

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