The chairman of the U.S. Senate Finance Committee has unveiled a long-awaited health care reform bill, which is drawing criticism from both Republicans and Democrats.

Democratic Senator Max Baucus from the western U.S. state of Montana released the 10-year, $856-billion plan Wednesday.

The measure would require individuals to have health insurance, but it drops a controversial proposal for a government-run health plan.

President Barack Obama had hoped for a reform plan that would draw bipartisan support. But the bill has virtually no support from minority Republicans and is opposed by some Democrats.

Republican Senator Charles Grassley of the central state of Iowa said Tuesday he was “disappointed” because it appeared Republicans had been “pushed aside by the Democratic leadership.”

Democrat Senator Jay Rockefeller of West Virginia said Tuesday there is “no way” he would vote for the measure in its present form.

President Barack Obama has pledged to pass health care reform before the end of the year but the issue has sparked contentious debate.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.