President Barack Obama is trying to keep his optimism in check -- but he calls Tuesday's Senate Finance Committee vote on health care reform "another step forward in bringing about a better deal for the American people."

Obama, recognizing that there's still a fight ahead, says he doesn't want to "count chickens before they hatch."

And in fact, labor unions and large business organizations are already demanding changes in the bill. It was an attempt by the panel's chairman, Democrat Max Baucus, to put together a middle-of-the-road measure that could win broad Senate support.

Joining the panel's 13 Democrats in supporting the bill was Republican Olympia Snowe of Maine. She said that while there are problems with the bill, the risks of doing nothing are too great.

Other Republicans said the bill would bring higher taxes and a greater federal role in the insurance industry -- and move toward more government control of health care.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's office says the full Senate will begin debate on the issue the week of October 26.