The New York Times: "In a day of desultory debate on sweeping health care legislation, senators appealed to two potent political constituencies ... with Democrats seeking additional medical benefits for women and Republicans vowing to preserve and protect Medicare for older Americans. The Democrats' first amendment, offered by Senator Barbara A. Mikulski of Maryland, would require insurers to cover more screenings and preventive care for women, with no co-payments."
The proposal was partly the result of "the recent furor over new recommendations from a federal task force that breast cancer screenings begin later for many women." Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid "hailed Ms. Mikulski's proposal." Republicans said the proposal would instead interfere with the relationship between doctor and women by allowing the Health Resources and Services administration to develop guidelines on insurance payments (Pear and Herszenhorn, 12/1).
The Wall Street Journal reports that with "their push on women's health, Democrats reached out to another key voter bloc, even as polls show uncertain public support for the White House-backed health-care initiative." The plan would cost $1 billion.
"Looming are several divisive fights, none more so than on abortion. Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) said Tuesday he planned to introduce an amendment to restrict government funding for abortion in a manner similar to limits in the bill passed by the House last month. Mr. Nelson said he wouldn't vote for the health bill unless the Senate adopts his measure" (Hitt and Adamy, 12/2).
The Washington Post: Meanwhile, the first GOP amendment, sponsored by Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., "would strip out the bill's primary revenue source, nearly $500 billion in Medicare cost savings. Although AARP and other seniors groups have said otherwise, Republicans are attacking the cuts as a threat that could eventually shorten lives." The Post also details "other flashpoints" likely to be considered as amendments on the Senate floor, including language that "would target provisions in the bill related to abortion and illegal immigrants. Majority Leader Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.) said debate could continue through the weekend" (Murray and Montgomery, 12/2).