Move could restore prenatal care
February 16, 2010
By Martha Stoddard and Paul Hammel
WORLD-HERALD BUREAU

LINCOLN — Nebraska lawmakers will take up a motion Wednesday that could lead to restoring prenatal coverage for more than 1,000 expectant mothers.

State Sen. Kathy Campbell of Lincoln filed a motion Tuesday seeking to suspend legislative rules and allow her to introduce a bill late.

Her draft proposal would create a special children’s health insurance program covering unborn children, including the children of undocumented immigrants.

The program would be similar to Kids Connection, which provides health coverage for children in low-income families.

The proposal states that unborn children do not have immigration status and are not affected by a state law barring public benefits to illegal immigrants.

Campbell said she expects to have the 30 votes needed for a motion to suspend the rule, which require that bills be introduced within the first 10 days of a session.

She said the votes would not necessarily reflect senators’ views on the proposal itself.
“We’re just trying to bring the issue forward, bring it to committee,â€