House Dems struggle on abortion compromise

WASHINGTON, Nov. 5 (UPI) -- A proposed compromise on abortion language in the U.S. House's version of healthcare reform isn't making Democrats on either side happy, observers said.

Democratic leaders Wednesday tried to reach agreement that would restrict use of federal money to pay for abortions as the sweeping legislation headed to floor debate this week, The New York Times reported Thursday. As many as 40 House Democrats have threatened to oppose the bill if it does not include tighter restrictions on abortion.

The House bill would provide coverage to 36 million people and cost $1.1 trillion for 10 years. Among other things, the bill as written would establish a new government insurance plan and would allow the secretary of health and human services to decide whether the public insurance option covers abortions.

Some Democratic opponents of abortion, led by Rep. Brad Ellsworth of Indiana, said the bill should bar the use of federal money to provide abortions.

Under the House bill, health plans are neither required nor forbidden to cover abortions, the Times said. Ellsworth proposed, if the public plan decides to cover abortion, it be required to hire private contractors to handle money that might be used for the procedure. Current law generally bars using federal money for abortion except for rape, incest or to save the mother's life.

Rep. Diana DeGette, D-Colo., a leader in the Congressional Pro-Choice Caucus, said Ellsworth's proposal likely would to be incorporated in the House bill.

"We are not enthusiastic about his language," DeGette said, "but we won't object to it."