Nelson urged to support overhaul

LINCOLN (AP) -- About two dozen people rallied outside Sen. Ben Nelson's Lincoln office on Thursday to urge him to support an overhaul of the nation's health care system.

Patrick Lohmeier of Lincoln called Nelson, a centrist Democrat, a "pivot man" in the Senate for the reform bill and said his support is needed to get it passed.

"He's the guy for the whole country, right here," Lohmeier said.

Nelson said earlier this week that he would oppose a bill that includes an option for a government-run health plan and that provides federal dollars for abortions.

Spokesman Jim Fagin said Thursday that the senator's feelings haven't changed, and he's still waiting to see a bill.

Lohmeier said he's upset that Nelson isn't doing more to get the bill passed.

"Everybody needs health care. It's a real simple thing," he said. "Everybody gets sick sooner or later. Everybody needs a little help before they die everybody."

The 59-year-old said he doesn't have health insurance because he can't afford the premiums, which ran him $500 a month for just catastrophic coverage. He's hoping to avoid any major medical bills until he's old enough to qualify for Medicare.

The drafting of a Senate bill is under way, but the prospects of President Barack Obama getting a bill this year have dimmed some as Democrats have become divided and Republicans appear determined to force delays.

While centrists like Nelson have long been tagged as the all-important votes to pass comprehensive health care reform, the emergence of the abortion issue among other concerns has set up a tough battle. It's a fight that each side can't afford to lose any support.

Susy McMahan, who helped organize Thursday’s MoveOn rally, said Nelson needs a push to go along with a bill.“We don’t know what he’s going to do. That’s why we’re pushing him,” she said.

Nebraska's other U.S. senator, Republican Mike Johanns, has opposed the Democrats' health care reform plan, saying the legislation would make health care more expensive and could jeopardize Medicare.

The House's reform bill narrowly passed on Saturday with provisions that would bar the new government insurance plan from covering abortions, except in cases of rape, incest or the life of the mother being in danger.

None of Nebraska's congressmen supported it.

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