Q+A: Will Senate pass healthcare by Christmas?

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Senate Democratic leaders are pushing to pass a sweeping healthcare reform bill by Christmas and give President Barack Obama a major year-end victory on one of his top domestic priorities.

Q: Will they make it?

A: It is possible. Democrats are facing solid Republican opposition to the healthcare overhaul that aims to rein in costs and provide medical coverage to about 30 million uninsured people.

But Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid on Saturday began the process for a final series of procedural votes. If Republicans continue with delaying tactics, the best the Democratic leader can hope for is a vote on passage late Christmas Eve.

Q: Do Democrats have the votes?

A: Reid said on Saturday he had the 60 votes needed to stop debate in the 100-member chamber and advance the bill toward passage. To do that, Reid had to satisfy independent Senator Joseph Lieberman by jettisoning a proposed new government-run insurance option and a compromise that would have opened the Medicare program for the elderly to some younger workers and retirees. The concessions angered liberals, but none have said they will block the bill.

Reid had to make additional concessions to Democrat Ben Nelson, who insisted on more restrictive language in the bill against using public money to pay for elective abortions.

Q: What happened to win support?

A: Reid on Saturday introduced a 383-page amendment that includes the concessions to Lieberman and Nelson as well as other measures sought by senators to secure their support. Nelson also was able to win additional federal money for Nebraska for the Medicaid program for the poor.

The amendment includes some changes on the financing, including a provision dropping a tax on elective cosmetic procedures and replacing it with a 10 percent tax on indoor tanning, which health experts say can cause cancer.

Some additional cost-saving measures were also included in the amendment.

Q: When will the Senate vote?

A: Republicans forced Senate clerks to read Reid's amendment aloud, a process that consumed more than seven hours on Saturday. Reid has filed a motion to cut off debate on the bill and the first of three procedural votes is set to occur as early as 1 a.m. (0600 GMT) on Monday morning. That will be the first show of Democratic resolve in passing the bill and will probably be the most important in the series leading up to final passage on Christmas Eve.

Democrats are holding out hope that a show of strength on the first procedural vote will convince Republicans to give up on any remaining delaying tactics.

Q: What happens if Reid fails to get 60 votes?

A: At this point that does not appear likely. But Reid has no margin for error and if just one of the 60 senators backs away from supporting the bill, the reform legislation would be left in limbo until after the New Year. That would give Republican opponents more time to build public opposition and possibly land a fatal blow to the effort.

Q: Are there any more hurdles?

A: The U.S. House of Representatives has already passed its version of healthcare reform. The Senate and the House must negotiate and pass a final version before it can be sent to Obama for his signature. Nelson has said his support for the legislation depends on it not being changed much in negotiation with the House.

(Reporting by Donna Smith; Editing by Peter Cooney)