LINCOLN, Neb. — New abortion restrictions advanced through Nebraska legislative debate Tuesday even after a supporter voiced concerns that the bill doesn't clearly address threats to a mother's health and fertility.
Supporters argued that exceptions for miscarriages and certain anomalies in the pregnancy already exist in the legislation. Lawmakers granted second-round approval to the bill, 30-8.
The bill by Omaha Sen. Beau McCoy would exclude abortion coverage from all private insurance policies sold in Nebraska. Abortion coverage would be allowed only with an optional rider paid for solely by the insured.
Lincoln Sen. Danielle Conrad introduced a measure that would have spelled out exceptions for miscarriages and for ectopic pregnancies, which start outside the womb and are not viable. Such pregnancies can endanger the mother's life and lead to infertility. The current bill allows exceptions for "spontaneous abortions," which generally means miscarriages, and abortions to save the mother's life.
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http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/6dda849e0c804fcdbfa5e7b2adae3b38/NE-XGR--Abortion-Bill/