Democrats Woo Abortion Foes in Push for Health Bill

[Omaha Steve]

Source: NY Times

By DAVID M. HERSZENHORN and ROBERT PEAR

WASHINGTON — House Democratic leaders late Friday were exploring the possibility of a deal with abortion opponents that would clinch the final votes to pass major health care legislation, but they faced stiff resistance from lawmakers who support abortion rights.

It was not immediately clear if the bill could win approval without some concessions to Democrats seeking tighter abortion restrictions.

In similar late-hour wrangling in November, Representative Bart Stupak, Democrat of Michigan, succeeded in winning approval of tight limits on insurance coverage of abortions in the House health care bill.

Mr. Stupak has said he would oppose the current measure without similar limits. Other Democratic opponents of abortion have said they are satisfied with the language in the Senate bill that bans the use of federal money to pay for coverage of the procedure, and they have pledged support for the package, expected to come to a decisive vote in the House on Sunday.


Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/20/us/politics/20health.html?partner=EXCITE&ei=5043

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Stephen Crowley/The New York Times

Speaker Nancy Pelosi answered questions at a Friday morning news conference in Washington.

[pocoloco]

1. How can you wimp out without calling it a wimp out?

[Faygo Kid]

2. If Stupak kills health care, it's pitchforks and torches time.

I know his district. It's mostly rural and poor with high unemployment (Michigan). They need health care reform, and this bill is a major start. He should be tarred and feathered if he defeats this over abortion.