Stupak still unhappy with healthcare reform, abortion provision

The House Democrat leading the charge to alter abortion-related provisions in healthcare reform signaled Thursday his chamber's revised bill still does not go far enough.

Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mich.) has long threatened to block the House's healthcare effort unless his party's leadership permits a vote on an amendment that would prevent taxpayer dollars from funding abortions -- a provision, he noted on Thursday, that is still absent from Democrats' recently unveiled bill.

"[L]anguage in the bill still does not do enough to prevent federal funding from going to abortion services," Stupak said in a statement. "I am disappointed the Capps Amendment has remained intact in H.R. 3962, mandating abortion services for the first time in our nation’s history.  I will continue to work with leadership to find satisfactory language on this issue."

All eyes have been on Stupak since he announced he had the support of 39 other lawmakers and would scuttle attempts to bring healthcare reform to the House floor unless the Democratic leadership addressed his concerns. Both sides have tried to negotiate that dilemma for some time now, but they have not been able to strike a deal. It is still unclear whether a vote on Stupak's amendment will even take place.

"I'm comfortable with where I'm at," Stupak said on Wednesday, adding Speaker Pelosi was likely angry with him. "This is who I am. It's reflective of my district. If it costs me my seat, so be it."

But Stupak has since tempered his tone, albeit slightly. In an op-ed he submitted to The Hill earlier today, he said the argument that he was trying to kill Democrats' healthcare reform "couldn't be further from the truth."

"This amendment is not about limiting choice when it comes to abortion services. There is nothing in the amendment that prevents those who choose to obtain abortion services from doing so," he said. "The Hyde language simply says taxpayer dollars should not be used to pay for those services.

"Just as the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) does not provide plans that cover abortion services, nor should the plans for individuals who enter into the public option or receive federal subsidies for healthcare cover abortions," he added. "They are free to purchase a supplemental plan or pay for these services with their own money should they so choose."