Seeking to resolve two contentious issues blocking healthcare reform in the Senate, lawmakers began consideration of an amendment to restrict abortion coverage, while Democrats closed in on alternatives to the public-insurance option, the Washington Post reports. The abortion provision would bar individuals who receive federal insurance subsidies from purchasing private policies that cover elective abortions. A group of 10 liberal and moderate Democrats said they were considering alternatives to a federally sponsored health insurance plan that could expand Medicaid and Medicare and create new national private plans overseen by the government.
