Health Care

Abortion Hangs Over Senate Plan

Amendment could hit the floor on Monday.

Antiabortion senators planned to introduce an amendment as soon as Monday to restrict abortion coverage in the Senate health-care bill. Both sides agree that the amendment lacks the votes to pass, but Democratic Senator Ben Nelson of Nebraska insists on tough language in the bill—and, as a potential 60th vote, has the sway to block it. As it is, the Senate bill would create a public option that covers abortion services and also allow women who receive subsidies to purchase plans that cover abortion services while preventing those funds from directly paying for abortions. Nelson wants language in the Senate bill similar to the Stupak amendment in the House bill, and has said he’ll vote against any package without it.