Abortion Threatens Health Bill

WASHINGTON, Dec. 22 (UPI) -- Abortion is shaping up as the biggest obstacle to a single healthcare reform bill emerging from the current House and Senate versions when discussions begin next month. And the biggest battles will be between Democrats.

Tougher language ensuring federal funds did not pay for abortions was part of the deal by which Senate leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., secured the vote of Sen. Ben Nelson, D-Neb., to reach a filibuster-ending 60 votes.

But the Senate language faces opposition from abortion rights advocates and opponents in the House. About a quarter of House Democrats voted for more stringent restrictions on abortion funding than the Senate version offers. Forty-one of them voted for the final bill which passed by a narrow 220-215 vote.

Members of that group have said the Senate compromise is unacceptable.

Meanwhile some liberal House Democrats who voted for the House bill have indicated they will not support final legislation that includes the stringent restrictions on abortion funding in the current House bill.

Other issues that must be resolved between the House and Senate bills are the provision of a government-run or public option, and how the reforms are funded.

There is another procedural vote in the Senate today as the bill moves toward a final vote Thursday.