DES MOINES - Sen. Tom Harkin praised preventive health care measures approved by a Senate panel, predicting they will "transform our current sick care system into a genuine health care system."

The Affordable Health Choices Act approved by the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee is "landmark" legislation that will reduce health care costs, include a strong public option, protect individuals' choice in care and assure affordable coverage for everyone. The bill sets the standard for other congressional committees working on health care reform, Harkin said this morning.

From the Iowa Democrat's perspective, the heart of the bill is the Prevention and Public Health title.

"This legislation puts prevention and public health at the very heart of comprehensive health reform," Harkin said. "It doesn't just tinker around the edges; it changes the paradigm."

Harkin conceded the HELP Committee bill is far from a done deal. With Sens. Ted Kennedy and Robert Byrd absent for health reasons, it will take all 58 Democrats and a couple of Republican senators to prevent a filibuster.