Senate Tables Proposed Broad Conscience Exemption To Required Health Care Coverage

The Washington Post reports that the Senate today tabled-- and thus effectively killed-- a proposed amendment (full text) to a federal highway bill offered by Sen. Toy Blunt (R-Mo) that would have provided a broad conscience exemption from any otherwise required coverage by health insurance plans under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The exemption would not have been limited to religiously affiliated organizations. The vote to table was 51-48, largely along party lines. However one Republican voted to table, while 3 Democrats voted against the motion to table.