Parties trade shots over health-care bill

Some Democrats, meanwhile, said they would press to reduce costs further for millions of Americans who would be required to purchase health coverage.

Baucus revised his bill even before submitting it to the committee Tuesday, adding more aid for middle-class families and watering down a tax provision that could target a small number of union households.

His changes drew praise from some Democrats and from Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine.

"This is a solid starting point, but we are far from the finish line," said Snowe.

Baucus' bill would help extend health insurance to an estimated 94 percent of Americans, including 29 million individuals who currently have none. An estimated 11 million people would join Medicaid under the legislation, and 25 million others would gain access to a new private-insurance exchange, including 7 million people who currently purchase their plans or pay for coverage through their employers.