WASHINGTON (November 7, 2009)—Rep. Chet Edwards, D-Waco, said Saturday he will vote against the U.S. House version of the sweeping health care reform measure that would extend insurance to tens of millions of Americans and lead to dramatic changes in the country’s medical system.

The announcement came as the House started debate on the measure Saturday and Democrats hailed the legislation as an advance for the nation's social fabric and a moral and economic imperative.

“After listening to thousands of my constituents and carefully reviewing the legislation, I have made a decision to vote “no” on the House health care reform bill,” Edwards said Saturday.

“Given the huge federal deficits facing our nation, I believe there is too much new spending in this bill.

“I am especially disappointed that the bill does not have a fiscal trigger in it to cut spending if actual costs of new programs turn out to be higher than projected,” he said.

“I also have concerns about a government-run “public option” insurance company and question whether this bill goes far enough in actually reducing health care costs for working families and businesses,” he said.

Republicans argue that the measure would be a government takeover of the health care system that would damage the economy and erode the doctor-patient relationship.

A vote was planned for late Saturday and it’s expected to be tight.

Democratic leaders hoped a late-morning visit by Obama to Capitol Hill would push it over the edge.

Edwards says he thinks most people in his district see the need for health care reform to hold down costs and make care more affordable, but that they also want legislation to be fiscally responsible.

“Throughout this debate I have heard two extremes. Some on the far left would like to see the federal government run a socialized health care system. Some on the far right would get the government completely out of health care, which would mean the elimination of Medicare and Medicaid. I think both extremes are wrong,” he said.

The health care measure cleared its first big hurdle Saturday as the House voted 242-192 in favor of a must-pass procedural measure setting the terms for the debate.

All 177 Republicans, joined by a few Democrats, voted to block the debate.

Earlier in the day, President Barack Obama told House Democrats that Congress has an historic opportunity for making big changes to the country's health care system, the White House said.

Mr. Obama met privately with Democrats for about an hour on Capitol Hill on Saturday as the House began debate on a health care overhaul.

A White House official who was in the meeting said Mr. Obama told lawmakers they have the great chance now to provide stability and security for people with insurance and offer affordable coverage for the uninsured, too, while bringing down costs for everyone.

He told lawmakers he wants to sign a bill by year's end.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak about the closed-door session.

Meanwhile, demonstrators rallied against the bill Saturday on Capitol Hill.

Hundreds gathered outside the Capitol, holding signs that read "Kill the Bill" and "Stop Big Government.