House Dems look at trying to pass health care bill without resolving abortion dispute

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Dems look to health vote without abortion foes

WASHINGTON — A top House Democrat says the leadership may be able to pass President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul without resolving a dispute over abortion.

Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Henry Waxman said Thursday that the leadership will try to secure the necessary 216 votes to pass the bill without reworking the divisive abortion provision.

Michigan Democratic Rep. Bart Stupak has said that he has about a dozen votes against the bill unless the language is toughened in restricting federal dollars for abortion. But leaders question whether the members of his group will stick together.

Waxman, a California Democrat, said that “many of the pro-life members are going to support passage of the health care bill.”