Major Bills to be Voted On

| 3/11/2013

State lawmakers are set to debate and vote on a package of measures aimed at strengthening the state`s already strict abortion laws. Senators will consider a House bill banning doctors from performing an abortion if a fetal heartbeat is detected.

They`ll also review a House bill that would prevent women from having abortions based on gender selection or genetic defects like Down Syndrome.

Also this week, the North Dakota Legislature will also take up the controversial topic of whether to expand Medicaid. North Dakota`s House voted last month to expand Medicaid to cover more un-insured residents. The change is part of the new federal health care law.

While House Republicans criticized the idea, enough voted for it because they worried the state would have to take on more costs without it. The measure will be a much tougher sell to Senate Republicans, who have two-thirds control of the chamber.

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