Pelosi Signals Openness To Senate Language On Abortion Coverage In Health Reform Bill

Pelosi Signals Openness To Senate Language On Abortion Coverage In Health Reform Bill: "In a press conference Tuesday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) signaled that House Democrats might be willing to accept the Senate's language on abortion coverage and health insurance for immigrants, Roll Call reports. The issues are among the many that have divided the House Democratic caucus, as leaders consider the use of budget reconciliation to help pass health reform through a two-part process. According to Roll Call, neither abortion nor immigration 'can be addressed under a reconciliation bill because stringent rules governing such bills require provisions to have a direct budgetary impact' (Pierce/Bendery, Roll Call, 3/3). Pelosi said, 'Neither of these issues is central to the bill,' adding, 'This is not an immigration bill. This is not an abortion bill. This is a bill that would provide more health care to all Americans.' She continued, 'In order to be part of the budget bill, it has to be central to the budget. ... It's a very strict rule' (Fabian, 'Blog Briefing Room,' The Hill, 3/2)."