The United States Senate has approved a plan for the reform of the country's healthcare system. The legislation was approved by 58 Democrats and two independents. Republican senators voted unanimously against it.

At the beginning of November, the House of Representatives approved its own version of the reforms. This includes different approaches to taxes, abortion and a government-run insurance plan.

The two houses must now reach a compromise over the differences in their versions, so they can approve a single bill to be voted into law. This will take place in 2010. A definitive vote is expected in January or February.

The reform of US healthcare is the largest in several decades. It is expected to provide insurance for more than 30 million US citizens. This would mean that 94 percent of the country's population would have health insurance. Insurance companies would also be prevented from refusing to provide cover to applicants with pre-existing medical conditions.

Photo of the US Capitol from Wikimedia Commons