than good . Sen. John McCain of Arizona called it a `` sham '' and a `` 2,074-page monstrosity full of measures that would impair the abilities , particularly of our senior citizens , to keep the benefits they 've been promised . '' McCain immediately proposed sending the bill back to committee to remove all provisions intended to bring down the costs of Medicare . He cited proposed cuts to Medicare , including $ 118 billion in subsidies provided to private insurers for Medicare Advantage -- an enhanced benefits program for senior citizens . `` There is no math , old or new , that gets you to no change in the benefits they have under Medicare Advantage and yet cuts $ 120 billion , '' McCain said . A vote on McCain 's proposal was likely on Tuesday . The House has passed its version of a health care bill , and if the Senate passes its bill , the two measures would be merged by a congressional conference committee . Both chambers then would have to approve the revised bill before it could go to President Obama 's desk . On Monday , debate quickly bogged down
Washington -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The U.S. Senate on Monday opened what is expected to be a lengthy and rancorous debate on a sweeping bill to overhaul the nation 's health care system . In statements laced with heated and conflicting rhetoric , Senate Democrats and Republicans outlined opposing positions on the 2,074-page Democratic measure that would provide health insurance to an additional 31 million people at a cost of almost $ 850 billion . Democrats led by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada framed the debate as historic and said the bill would provide vital health insurance for almost all Americans , hold down spiraling costs that threaten the U.S. economy and instill needed reforms to ensure the long-term solvency of the government-run Medicare health program for senior citizens . `` In the greatest country on Earth , no American should die simply because they do n't have health insurance , '' said Sen. Max Baucus of Montana , one of the bill 's architects , while Reid said the bill `` saves money , saves lives and saves Medicare . '' Republicans countered that the bill was too big , too expensive and would cause more harm