House OKs abortion amendment to healthcare bill

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Following an 11th-hour battle over reproductive rights, the House voted tonight to include a provision in the healthcare bill prohibiting federally subsidized insurance plans from offering abortion services.

The vote was 240-194, with one congressmen voting present.

Written by Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mich.), the abortion amendment would bar the proposed government insurance plan from covering abortions, except in cases of rape, incest, or where the life of the mother is in danger. The amendment also would prohibit people who receive federal health subsidies from buying insurance plans that include abortion coverage.

It is not clear whether the amendment will survive the conference committee deliberations on the shape of the final bill that will resolve differences between the House and Senate versions. The Senate has yet to debate its measure.

A final vote on the House bill is expected later this evening after Democrats vote down a Republican effort to substitute its bill.

-- Noam N. Levey and Michael Muskal

Twitter.com/LATimesmuskal