As many as 40 House Democrats have pledged to vote against a final version of the health care bill passed last weekend if the language regarding abortion in the bill is not amended to be stronger.
House Democratic leaders, on their way to pushing the new plan to change the national health care system, will likely be slowed by the issue.
As abortion is among the most divisive issues in politics, this bump in the road may push the votes on health care into 2010. The delays show that even though Democrats have the majority, there are divisions within parties on the issue.
Lawmakers who oppose abortion are demanded that the language in the bills regarding the prevention of federal funds being used to fund abortions needed to be stronger. Anti-abortion House Democrats are requesting more restrictions on keeping federal funds from being used to cover abortion services.
Those for abortion-rights claim that the possible amendment would prevent insurance companies from offering abortion services through health insurance exchanges. Women would be restricted from abortion coverage when using the public option of government-sponsored insurance. Women whose underlying health conditions require hospitalization may be the most affected by the amendment.
Women would be required to purchase separate abortion policies with their own money, an option that immediately caused controversy from liberal Democrats. They claim that an unplanned pregnancy is just that, unplanned; and that women can not be expected to predict when they would need an abortion.
The amendment by Bart Stupak (D-Mich.) passed 240 to 194, with 64 Democrats and most Republicans in support.
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