WASHINGTON (AP) -- Iowa Sen. Tom Harkin says he is "increasingly optimistic" that the Senate will approve a strong health care bill that will reach President Barack Obama's desk before the end of the year.
Harkin leads a top Senate committee on health care. He told reporters Thursday that the health care debate is "moving irrevocably toward a final bill" and he expects his committee to combine its bill with a similar measure being developed by Montana Sen. Max Baucus.
Baucus' Senate Finance Committee is working on a sweeping overhaul of the health care system this week.
Harkin told reporters "one way or the other" the bill will be on the president's desk before Christmas.
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