Senate Democrats have reached a deal on health care reform that will allow them to clear a critical 60 vote threshold that will pave the way for final passage of the bill.
Democratic leaders have struck a deal with Sen. Ben Nelson, D-Neb., who was refusing to back the bill unless changes were made to several elements of the bill, including abortion coverage.
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Nelson said the bill now ensures that federal money is not spent on abortion coverage by requiring those who want such coverage to purchase a specific plan for that purpose. Money for that coverage will paid separately and fenced from other funds.
“It handles the whole question of banning federal funding of abortion, either directly or indirectly,” Nelson said Saturday morning.
Currently on the Senate floor, the reading clerk is reciting hundreds of pages of legislation comprising Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s health care proposal.
Republicans are insisting on the reading because they believe there has been insufficient time to view and understand the bill before a vote is planned for Monday at 1 a.m.
There are two more votes needed to pass the bill, with a final vote scheduled for Christmas Eve.
The deal was reached with Nelson after marathon talks with the moderate that lasted late into Friday night.
