The Senate has released its health reform bill, the Patient Protection and Affordable Health Act–the final, merged result of the Senate HELP Committee and Senate Finance Committee bills.

The Senate bill would create a public plan, but unlike the H.R 3962, would allow states to opt-out; does not allow illegal immigrants to purchase health insurance on the Exchange, even if they were to use their own money and pay the full cost; and this bill does not follow the House lead in imposing dangerous new restrictions on women’s access to insurance that covers abortion. To find a side-by-side comparison of the two bills, click here.

To read more see:
New York Times
Wall Street Journal
Los Angeles Times
FireDog Lake
NPR (with podcast)