Mass Senate Democrats Ready To Debate Health Care Bill

After weeks of debate, the Massachusetts Senate will vote on a massive health care oversight and reform bill on Thursday.

Part of the bill is a response to the Steward Health Care crisis. The House passed their own bill earlier this year.

But the Senate has basically rewritten the entire bill.

Among other things it toughens penalties on health care facilities for improperly reporting or failing to comply with state regulations.

The Senate version deals with prescription drug spending that the House did not deal with.

Senate Democrats say the bill goes a long way to safeguarding the health care system in the state.

Once passed the bill would be headed to a Conference Committee.

(Photo by JOSEPH PREZIOSO/AFP via Getty Images)