In a close vote of 54 to 45 the Senate voted to table or set aside the Nelson/Hatch Amendment that would have barred the use of federal funds from being used to subsidize abortions and would have prevented the purchase of insurance that would cover abortions by anyone using federal subsidies.
The so-called Hyde language has served the purpose for the past thirty years, preventing the federal government to pay for abortions with the exception of rape or incest or if the mother’s life was in danger under strict guidelines. As mentioned for thirty years the Hyde language has been acceptable.
The health care reform bill that passed the House included language very similar to the Nelson/Hatch Amendment in the Senate, setting back women’s rights. The defeat… or the tabling or setting aside… of the Nelson/Hatch Amendment more or less leaves the Senate version of the health care reform bill with language that is status quo.
While this is a narrow victory for women’s rights, the battle is not over. The Senate version of the bill will be returned to the House for the final vote. Both houses must pass the bill before it can be sent to the President.
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