Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio), a key holdout on health care because of her concern over abortion language in the Democratic proposal, announced on a Toledo television station this morning that she would vote for the legislation.
The conversion represents a major coup for President Obama and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, suggesting Democratic leaders may be on the verge of converting a crucial bloc of holdouts -- Catholic lawmakers who oppose abortion rights -- as they scour the Democratic caucus for the 216 votes needed for passage.
Pelosi and Obama's White House team have held frantic, last-minute talks with Kaptur and about a half-dozen other Democrats who believe the Senate bill, expected to come before the House this evening, could allow people who receive federal subsidies for health insurance to purchase policies that cover abortion procedures.
But Kaptur said she is now confident that the administration would take the necessary steps to preserve the current ban on federal funding of abortion.
"We received assurances last night that we would work with the administration and Secretary Sebelius and the president to ensure that existing law is maintained," Kaptur told WTVG in an interview. "Not to change it in any way, but to make sure it applies to this bill."
Kaptur said she also considered the broader problem of rising health-care premiums in deciding to support the bill. "The bill overall addresses a serious problem before the country today," Kaptur said.
SOURCE: Washington Post
