Democratic lawmakers said Tuesday that they will try to pass a bill during the current special session requiring insurers who cover maternity care to also pay for abortions.

The measure passed out of the House during the legislative session that ended March 8 but failed in the Senate after a dramatic attempt to bring it to the floor during a Republican budget coup failed by three votes.

"We need to get the bill to the floor of the Senate," said Rep. Laurie Jinkins, D-Tacoma. "There are the votes on the floor of the Senate to pass this bill."

One key vote is that of Sen. Rodney Tom, D-Bellevue, who says he supports the bill but who voted to keep it from coming to the floor during the budget debate earlier this month.

He says that whether he votes for the bill to come to the floor during the special session depends on the circumstances.

"If it's going to blow up a budget deal, then I won't vote for it" to come to the floor, Tom said.

Supporters say the bill would ensure that existing abortion coverage will be preserved once federal health insurance rules come into effect in 2014 under national health care reform. Opponents counter that the measure may lead to more abortions and would prove expensive.

Gov. Chris Gregoire said at news conference last week that the special session should be confined to focusing on the budget and a small list of related issues. Asked whether she would veto the bill if passed, she said it was unlikely it would make it out of the Legislature during the special session.

"Trust me," she said. "It's not going to pass."

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