U.S. senators reject stronger abortion restrictions

[underpants]

Source: Reuters

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A U.S. Senate panel rejected a Republican effort on Wednesday to further restrict abortions in a sweeping healthcare overhaul as it inched closer to finishing work on the bill.

The Senate Finance Committee defeated two attempts by Republican Senator Orrin Hatch to strengthen the measure's anti-abortion provisions, with Democrats arguing the amendments would create new limits on a woman's right to an abortion.

Democrats on the panel also beat back a Republican attempts to repeal a $6.7 billion fee on insurers, a key element of the overhaul proposed by Chairman Max Baucus, and to strengthen provisions to deny benefits to illegal immigrants.

The bill, one of five healthcare measures pending in Congress, is designed to rein in costs, regulate insurers and expand insurance coverage to many of the 46 million uninsured people living in the United States.

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSTRE58T7IU20090930

[kestrel91316]

1. That's ok. I'm sure they'll reverse their position when the Repukes start whining.

After all, caving is what they do best.

[havocmom]

2. Heard ol Orrin was on the TV yesterday, sayin' some folks don't want tax $ goin for abortions

Well, lots of other people don't want tax $ goin for a war against a people who were NEVER a threat to the US.

Lots of people don't want tax $ goin to companies that lie, cheat, kill, like Xe, and little subsidiaries of Halliburton.

Lots of people don't like churches being tax exempt (which raises the burden on others) while throwing their weight around in politics.

Glad Orrin got beaten on his personal abortion complaint today.

[underpants]

3. Yeah but more $ will now go to Hatch and his PAC

this is nothing but a money generator for him and the GOP-that is the only reason they did it

[havocmom]

5. You got that right. The LAST thing any GOP pol wants is an end to abortion rights

and the controversy they profit from

[customerserviceguy]

6. There were two defeated Hatch amendments

One was for the funding of abortion, the second one was to insert a conscience clause allowing medical personnel to decline to participate in abortions.

My bet is that the latter one is where the GOP gets the most traction.

[Cant trust em]

4. Maybe this is the difference between centrist dems and republicans.

They might think a public option is too controversial, but they are into reproductive rights.