Coburn Wants to Keep Delivering Babies

[Rose Siding]

WASHINGTON - Republican Sen.-elect Tom Coburn of Oklahoma, a politician and an obstetrician, wants to deliver more babies after he takes office Jan. 4, a request apparently at odds with Senate conflict-of-interest rules.

Coburn "merely wants to break even with his costs to maintain his medical practice," and he has had private discussions with GOP leaders as well as members of the Senate ethics committee, spokesman John Hart said Friday night.
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Senate rules generally prohibit senators from earning outside income as part of an attempt to avoid a conflict between lawmakers' personal financial interests and their public responsibilities.

As a result, newly elected senators customarily are required to wrap up their business relationships quickly after winning their seats.

Malpractice insurance premiums for obstetricians are among the highest in medicine, and there was no reliable estimate on how much money Coburn would have to earn to cover his expenses, or how much time would be required.
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Coburn had a protracted, well-publicized struggle with the House ethics committee over the same issue several years ago. While originally advised he would not be able to practice medicine, he ultimately prevailed. Ironically, the top staff aide at the House committee at the time is now working in a similar position for the Senate panel.

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