Ind. reps to play key roles in health care debate

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - A Saturday vote on health care reform is anticipated in the House of Representatives as two Indiana congressmen now play key roles in the ongoing debate.

Along with GOP National Chairman Michael Steele, Rep. Mike Pence (R-6th District) is leading a 12 hour electronic town hall on a Republican web site. Congressman Pence also helped lead a rally on Capitol Hill in opposition to the Democratic bill.

Meantime, much of the debate is now over the possibility that the health care bill will permit public funding of abortion. Republicans don't like an amendment authored by 8th District Indiana Democrat Brad Ellsworth.

Mike Fichter of Indiana Right to Life said, "It requires that the federal government hires contractors that then will pay abortion providers for abortions covered under the health care plan. But the money that they're paying the contractors with, the money the contractors are paying the abortion with, is federal money."

Ellsworth said his legislation has changed in the effort to reach a compromise.

"And I'm very confident we're gonna, at the end of the day, when this comes down, that pro-life folks will be satisfied, that none of their taxpayer dollars are going to fund abortions," said Ellsworth.

With just 48 hours or so remaining before the vote we surveyed the Indiana delegation. Republicans Dan Burton, Mike Pence, Mark Souder and Steve Buyer will all vote "no". Democrats Baron Hill, Brad Ellsworth and Joe Donnelly are undecided.

Democrat André Carson will vote "yes".

So far, no response from Democrat Pete Visclosky.