The Big Change

No, not menopause - either male or female.  As evidence that I lead a happily mundane life, I watched the health care reform debate on C-SPAN.  I don't watch C-SPAN too often since it is sometimes too boring for even me.  However, the health care reform debate was pretty interesting.  During the debate, it became clear that the House Democrats did not have enough votes to pass the legislation without the 20 or so pro-life Democrats.  Thus, the pro-life Democrats were allowed to introduce a big change - an amendment that would prohibit federal funds from being used to pay for abortions.  I am certain a deal was struck where this amendment was put forward and approved with the understanding that there will be an effort to remove it when the legislation goes to the Senate.  Nevertheless, the debate on the amendment was what it should be - a discussion of issues:  Should abortion be covered in the bill?  If not, can states provide funding to cover abortions?  Should federal funding in any way be used to pay for abortions?  It was one of the few good debates I have seen on C-SPAN.