Updated at: 10/13/2009 3:57 PM

Health Care Bill Gets Republican Vote: For A Day

WASHINGTON (AP) - Maine Sen. Olympia Snowe says her split with fellow Republicans is limited to today's Finance Committee vote on health care legislation.

In her words, "My vote today is my vote today. It does not forecast my vote tomorrow." Still, her support could give Democrats the 60th vote required to overcome Republican objections to the bill.

Snowe is the only Republican so far to vote for any of the health-reform bills before Congress. She joined 13 Democrats today in approving a 10-year, $829-billion overhaul plan.

The committee's other nine Republicans voted against it. Snowe describes the legislation as flawed, but says it bolsters what works in the nation's health care system and tries to rein in the rising costs of health care. Democrats have spent months addressing her concerns, and the president has sought her vote in phone calls and meetings.