The Senate approved a budget resolution Aug. 11, the first step toward passing a $3.5 trillion spending plan that would expand Medicare, according to The Wall Street Journal.
The Democratic-held Senate voted to pass the budget resolution 50-49 along party lines. The budget plan directs committees to draft a bill that would spend up to $3.5 trillion on education, healthcare and other provisions.
Democrats said the package would add a new dental, vision and hearing benefit to the Medicare program and create a federal program to provide healthcare coverage in the 12 states that have not expanded Medicaid under the ACA.
Congress likely will not pass the bill for weeks, according to CNBC.