Washington D.C., Nov 9, 2009 / 17:30 pm
In a statement Monday, U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.) asserted that the Stupak Amendment currently preventing federally funded abortions in the House health care bill will be removed.
“I am confident that when it comes back from the conference committee that that language won't be there,” Wasserman Schultz told MSNBC, adding, “I think we're all going to be working very hard, particularly the pro-choice members, to make sure that's the case.”
The language in the Stupak Amendment not only prevents abortion coverage in the public insurance option but also prohibits private plans from offering coverage for abortions if they accept individuals who are receiving government subsidies.
Without the Stupak amendment the House would not have been able to amass enough votes to pass the current health care bill, which passed by a margin of 220 votes in favor to 215 against.