House Health Care Bill Hinges On Abortion Vote

UPDATE: The House of Representatives has begun a series of votes that could determine the future of President Obama's health care overhaul plans. Lawmakers are voting on Democrats' sweeping $1.2-trillion legislation that would cover millions of people who are uninsured, as well as a modest and less expensive Republican alternative. Also under consideration, an amendment by conservative Democrats that would bar abortion services from any insurance plan paid for with a federal subsidy. That plan is supported by Republicans. More details to come here on NPR.org.

As the House of Representatives opened a long-anticipated debate on a massive health care overhaul bill on Saturday, the outcome hinges in part on a last-minute complication: the issue of abortion.

This is the farthest any such bill has gotten in the House, prompting an unusual personal appearance by President Barack Obama at the Capitol on Saturday.

But after months of intense debate in the halls and hearing rooms on the Hill, conservative Democrats on Friday night forced their leaders to allow a vote on abortion, an issue that divides their party.

The Stupak amendment, named for its sponsor, Rep. Bart Stupak, a Democrat from Michigan, would ban private health insurance plans from covering abortion for people who pay for their health care with a government subsidy. It would also bar a federally funded plan — the so-called public option — from covering abortion.

This puts House Democrats in a particularly sticky place. They do not appear to have enough votes to pass their health care bill without the support of Democrats who oppose abortion.

But if the amendment passes, the bill could lose the backing of abortion rights supporters. Those Democrats would likely be forced to choose between codifying a major advance in the anti-abortion movement — or killing the health care bill entirely.

"There is a risk" that some in the Pro-Choice Caucus would vote against the legislation if the stricter curbs are adopted, Rep. Diana DeGette, D-Colo., said.

Obama made the rare visit to Congress in an attempt to rally Democrats behind the bill.

"Now is the time to finish the job," he said in the Rose Garden after returning from the meeting. "I urge members of Congress to rise to this moment, answer the call of history and vote yes for health insurance reform for America,"

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi emerged from the closed-door session and announced, "We will pass health care reform."

The House is set to vote on the Stupak amendment as well as the overall legislation as early as Saturday night.

Until then, lawmakers continue to spar over the other issues in the bill, including its cost.

The House Democrats' plan would cost $1.2 trillion over the next decade, and would require most employers to cover their workers. It also bars insurance companies from denying coverage to people based on pre-existing conditions, and includes other reforms on the industry.

Republicans appeared to be united in their opposition to the bill.

"The American people need to understand this is about a government takeover of the whole health care system," said Rep. Paul Broun, R-Ga.