Health reform passage looks more likely; President, Democratic leaders embrace using reconciliation bill as vehicle.(NEWS)

Byline: JERRY GEISEL

Health care reform legislation will move to a different congressional track, which observers say increases its chances of passage even though significant opposition remains.

Ending weeks of speculation, President Barack Obama last week endorsed a procedure that would allow the Senate to vote on the measure with only a simple majority needed for passage.

"We have debated this issue thoroughly, not just for the past year but for decades. Reform has already passed the House with a majority. It already has passed the Senate with a supermajority of 60 votes, President Obama said during a White House speech to health care providers.

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