WASHINGTON (AP) — Digging in for a long struggle, Republican senators and governors assailed the majority Democrats' newly minted health care legislation Thursday as a collection of tax increases, cuts in services for the elderly and heavy new burdens for deficit-ridden states.



Despite the criticism, indications were growing that Democrats would prevail on an initial Senate showdown set for Saturday night, and Majority Leader Harry Reid, the top Democrat, crisply rebutted the Republican charges. He said the bill "will save lives, save money and save Medicare," the main health program for the elderly.



The legislation is designed to answer President Barack Obama's demand to expand coverage, end insurance industry practices such as denying coverage on the basis of pre-existing medical conditions, and restrain the growth of health care spending.



No other developed country lacks a comprehensive medical program for its peopl.