The United States Senate has rejected an attempt to tighten restrictions on abortion coverage in a health care reform, threatening a crucial Democrat's support for passage of the final bill.
Senator Ben Nelson of Nebraska's amendment to ban the use of federal funds for abortions, identical to a provision approved by the House of Representatives last month, was defeated by a 54-45 margin.
Without the abortion language, Sen Nelson has said he was uncertain about supporting the final health care bill when it comes to a vote. If he follows through, Democrats would be one vote short of the 60 they need to pass the measure.
"If in fact he doesn't succeed here, we'll try something else," Mr Reid said of Mr Nelson before the vote.
The amendment would have blocked people who receive federal subsidies from buying insurance plans that cover abortions and prohibited a proposed government insurance plan from offering abortion coverage in most circumstances.
The issue of a government-run insurance plan might be moot as Senate negotiators worked on a deal to substitute a non-profit plan operated by private insurers but administered by the Office of Personnel Management, which supervises health coverage for federal workers.
The abortion issue and the government-run insurance plan, which some moderates had opposed, are the two biggest stumbling blocks to passage of a sweeping health care overhaul that is President Barack Obama's top domestic priority.
The Senate was on its ninth day of debate on the bill, which would extend coverage to 30 million people unable to afford insurance and end industry practices such as refusing coverage to those with pre-existing medical conditions.
Senators are racing the clock to meet a self-imposed end-of-year deadline for the bill's final passage. It would still need to be reconciled with the House version in January.
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