This week, the Senate continued its consideration of H.R. 3590, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The Senate began work on the bill last week (see The Source, 12/4/09).
On December 8, the Senate voted, 54-45, to table an amendment by Sens. Ben Nelson (D-NE) and Orrin Hatch (R-UT) to bar insurance providers that participate in the state-run health insurance exchanges from providing coverage for abortions other than those in cases of rape, incest, and to protect the life of the mother. In addition, the amendment would have prohibited discrimination against health care providers based on their refusal to provide, cover, or refer for abortion services. The amendment is similar to an amendment by Rep. Bart Stupak (D-MI) to the House version of the bill H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act (see The Source, 11/6/09).
