SALT LAKE CITY -- Both of Utah's U.S. senators say they plan to continue the fight over health care overhaul.

House Democrats voted 219-212 late Sunday to send legislation to President Obama that would extend coverage to 32 million uninsured Americans, reduce deficits and ban insurance company practices such as denying coverage to people with pre-existing medical conditions.

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House sends health care overhaul bill to Obama

A transformative health care bill is headed to President Barack Obama for his signature as Congress takes the final steps in Democrats' improbable and history-making push for near-universal medical coverage.

A companion package making a series of changes sought by House Democrats to the larger bill, which already passed the Senate, was approved 220-211. The fix-it bill will now go to the Senate, where debate is expected to begin as early as Tuesday.

Senate Democrats hope to approve it unchanged and send it directly to Obama, though Republicans intend to attempt parliamentary objections that could change the bill and require it to go back to the House.

Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, said, "I hope Senators from both parties, who are honestly trying to represent their constituents, join the fight. There is still time to do the right thing."

Hatch says the health care bill represents the beginning of the "Europeanization of America."

Speaking Monday morning on CNN, Hatch said "You realize they're going to subsidize families, families of four that make over $80,000 a year?"

He also said the bill will raise taxes by more than $500 billion and yet still will come up short when it comes to covering all the costs involved.

He said it will force businesses to provide insurance to employees, perhaps forcing some to shut their doors rather than shoulder the expense.

Sen. Bob Bennett, R-Utah, said he will fight what he calls a "disastrous" bill in the Senate.

Sen. Bennett's statement

"Last night, President Obama called the vote on health care a ‘victory for Americans.' I could not disagree more. This vote was a clear indication that one party and one administration decided to ignore the overwhelming cry of opposition from the American people.

"This government takeover of health care that increases premiums, adds to the national deficit, slashes Medicare for seniors and straps businesses with more taxes during a time of recession is not reform; it's a historic mistake.

"There is no victory for Americans in a health care bill littered with special deals, tax hikes and increased costs. I will continue my fight in the Senate against this disastrous bill."

Sen. Hatch's statement

"This evening, Washington believes it scored a victory over the American people. But this fight is far from over. What this arrogant majority fails to understand is that big government is not the answer to our problems and is not what our country wants. It's disappointing that passing this bill became an exercise not about the legacy we leave to our children and grandchildren, but about the future of this Presidency.

"With trillion dollar deficits as far as the eye can see, Americans are rightly asking how do we pay for this $2.5 trillion health care bill. The simple answer is we can't. With this deeply-flawed proposal, Washington Democrats are telling struggling middle-class families and small businesses who are clamoring for a job-creating agenda that their voices and concerns don't matter. The President and his allies have chosen instead to plow ahead with a job-killing bill that will raise taxes, increase our already sky-high debt, and slash Medicare for a new, unaffordable entitlement at a time when our economy remains weak. This makes no sense to Utahns and the American people.

"House Democrats acted this evening with the hope that they won't have to vote again on this highly unpopular bill with all its kick-backs, buyoffs, and gimmicks. But it looks like their faith might have been more than a little misplaced. Because of two provisions in the bill that don't comply with strict budget rules, it's very likely that they'll have to vote again.

"When the focus turns back to the Senate this week, Republicans will work to carry out the will of the American people so they aren't saddled with more debt, more taxes, and more spending on a new, unaffordable entitlement program. I hope Senators from both parties, who are honestly trying to represent their constituents, join the fight. There is still time to do the right thing."

(The Associated Press contributed to this story.)

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