After two days of heated debate, the Senate tabled the pro-life Nelson amendment yesterday with a 54 to 45 vote. The amendment would have prevented federal funds from being used to purchase any health insurance plan that covers abortion, thus enforcing the already-existing Hyde Amendment. As the bill currently exists, there is no such protection and federal subsidies will indirectly fund abortion services.
We encourage everyone to contact their Senators today and make clear their opposition to this and any other health care legislation that permits public funding for abortion. Women may currently have a legal right to abortion services, but every citizen has an equal right to refuse to pay for that service.