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Nelson Weighing New Abortion Language, Offered By Casey

Brian Beutler | December 16, 2009, 5:22PM

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Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE).

Abortion, Ben Nelson, Bob Casey, Health Care, Senate

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Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA) presented Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE) with new legislative language to address how abortion services will be funded in Senate health care legislation.

Details are scarce right now on how the amendment actually works. Casey was unavailable for comment, and, according to Nelson spokesman Jake Thompson, Nelson hasn't had a chance to read or digest the language yet. But it's coming down to the wire. Nelson's support will likely be necessary to pass the entire bill, so, politically, his reaction to this new potential abortion compromise will be crucial. We'll keep an eye out for both the substance of the amendment, and Nelson's reaction

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Walter Mitty

December 16, 2009 5:27 PM

Nelson is looking for cover. If the language does nothing but can offer him cover he'll say run with it. Though I expect him to say "It's not ideal, but nobody is getting everything they want out of this bill" to pretend that he's making a huge sacrifice as well.

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mcc

December 16, 2009 5:36 PM

Here's hoping Boxer sticks to her position.

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JefferyK

December 16, 2009 5:45 PM

Let me guess: The legislative language now says something like "No American with health insurance will be allowed to get an abortion, under penalty of death." Sorry -- I am feeling extremely cynical these days and am relying upon American lawmakers to continue to do the wrong thing.

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bluebell

December 16, 2009 5:50 PM in reply to JefferyK

No, I think it says that OB/GYNs will be replaced by home schooled midwifes in the interest of revenue neutral reform.

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JefferyK

December 16, 2009 5:53 PM

Christian home schooled midwives. ;)!

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vamonticello

December 16, 2009 5:55 PM

those without insurance today have to pay for their own abortions. Those in the healthcare exchange would have to pay for their own abortions NOTHING WILL CHANGE. The only thing Nelson wants is that ELECTIVE ABORTIONS SHOULD NOT BE COVERED BY INSURANCE POLICIES IN THE HEALTHCARE EXCHANGE. Those abortions that occur because of rape, incest or when the life of the mother is at risk ARE COVERED IN THE EXCHANGE. That is plain and simple

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JefferyK

December 16, 2009 5:57 PM in reply to vamonticello

Well, that's good incentive to keep women from purchasing insurance on the exchange.

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ShoelessJoeMcCarthy

December 16, 2009 7:48 PM in reply to vamonticello

Oh, gee, it would just ban coverage for elective abortions...what are they, something like 98% of all abortions performed? Maybe Ellsworth's firewall proposal will work for both sides. OTOH, Nelson's not a progressive, so just give him whatever he wants! Just as long as he's not progressive or liberal, give it to him!

Now, if he wants to vote against the Afghanistan supplemental funding bill, that's another matter, right? Then maybe the White House will come down hard on the man! But if it's a matter of restricting women's reproductive rights, well, give him whatever he wants.

Pardon the snark, but the last two days have taken quite a toll on the respect, devotion, admiration, and support that I've had for Senator-then-President Obama over the past five years.

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Mateo123

December 16, 2009 5:56 PM

Only democrats would filibuster their own health care reform bill because a tiny fraction of the federal dollars may be used to purchase policies that cover abortion. This is just nuts.

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Darrius

December 16, 2009 6:46 PM

Folks the closer we get to a government single-payer program the more the government plans will restrict abortion. By the time we get to a full government single-payer plan, and we will get there, that single payer plan won't pay for unnecessary, elective abortions at all.

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