After compromise fails, prenatal debate to hit legislative floor
StoryDiscussionBy NANCY HICKS / Lincoln Journal Star | Posted: Tuesday, March 16, 2010 4:27 pm | (9) Comments

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Supporters of continuing Nebraska's prenatal coverage for all low-income women will take their case to senators Wednesday after a compromise failed to get Gov. Dave Heineman's support.

Sen. Kathy Campbell of Lincoln said Tuesday afternoon she asked Speaker Mike Flood to bring the original prenatal bill (LB1110) to the floor for debate, anticipating she will eventually need 30 votes to overcome a governor's veto.

"We will go with the bill that came out of committee and see what happens," Campbell said.

The bill is scheduled for debate Wednesday morning.

Campbell and Flood had been working on a compromise to provide a transition period giving other groups time to find a solution. But Campbell said she was told earlier in the day Heineman would not support that compromise.

Heineman had no public comment on the issue, his staff said. The governor has said he opposes continuing coverage for all low-income women because of the immigration issue.

Earlier this month the state stopped serving a group of low-income women -- including more than 800 illegal immigrants -- after the federal government said the state was not following Medicaid rules.

The bill would create a new program that would provide prenatal care to all low-income unborn babies using other federal funds.

Campbell said senators were getting questions from constituents about providing prenatal care to women who were illegal immigrants.

Some senators have said they are hearing from people who say they are pro-life -- but are against providing prenatal care to these unborn babies, said Julie Schmit-Albin, executive director of Nebraska Right to Life, which supports the bill.

These are not people who are active in the pro-life network, she said.

"I don't know where this is coming from, but it's not from the grassroots," she said.

The group is asking senators to "put babies ahead of borders. Our people know that. They get it."

Nebraska Right to Life supports other efforts to reduce the number of illegal immigrants, but not on the backs of the "most vulnerable," Schmit-Albin said.

Supporters, including doctors who provide prenatal care, and advocacy groups for low-income Nebraskans, have also focused on the babies, who will be U.S. citizens.

They point to the potential cost of providing care for low-weight babies as a result of no prenatal care.

"It is frustrating to see the governor's position on this ... of playing politics with the lives of low-income children and families," said Becky Gould, director of Nebraska Appleseed. "Hopefully the Legislature will respond and pass good public policy for the state."

Reach Nancy Hicks at 473-7250 or nhicks@journalstar.com.

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