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Pro-life Democrats want abortion addressed in health care reform legislation

AP Photo/Evan Vucci

With all the discussion about public options and health exchanges, there's one word with respect to health care reform that has slipped by relatively unnoticed, until now.  Apparently, it was only a matter of time until the controversial topic of abortion made a splash into the health care reform debate.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) intends to bring the legislation to the floor early this week, but Pro-life Representative Bart Stupak (D-MI) and a posse of conservative Democrats might just throw a wrench in Pelosi's plans.  Stupak recently told CNSnews.com that he and 40 Democrats are prepared to unite with Republicans in an attempt to make sure that the health reform bill doesn't see the light of day on the House floor until consideration is given to an abortion amendment he wants to offer into the legislation.

Congressman Stupak's amendment specifically says that no federal funds may be used for abortion services.  Currently, federal dollars may be used to pay for abortions only in cases of incest, rape or when the mother's life is in danger; private plans on the other hand may offer coverage for abortion services if the insurer wants to do so.  Stupak's concern is with what is known as the Capps amendment, sponsored by Rep. Lois Capps (D-CA) that was accepted into the health care reform legislation.  The Capps amendment addresses abortion in the so-called health exchanges by offering abortion services in at least one exchange.  However, one exchange would not provide those services so people who object to abortion don't have to be a part of the exchange that provides it.  Says Rep. Capps, "My amendment specifically prohibits abortion from being included as part of the essential benefits package.  No one - not the Secretary of Health and Human Services nor the Health Benefits Advisory Committee - can make abortion a part of the essential benefits package."

So how would Rep. Stupak and his like-minded colleagues prevent the health care reform bill from going to the House floor?  Before a measure heads to the floor the Rules Committee sets restrictions on how the bill may be debated.  Those rules are custom made for each piece of legislation and must be approved by the Members.  If the Members vote down the rules for debate, the bill can't go to the floor. 

Will the Michigan legislator follow through on his threat to block the bill's movement?  Will the Democratic leadership try to pacify those rebelling by offering other incentives?  The drama continues.  Stay tuned.