Just like the original 2032-page government-run health care plan from Speaker Nancy Pelosis Senate Majority Leader Harry Reids massive 2074-page bill levies a new abortion premium" fee on Americans in the government-run plan. Beginning on line 7 p. 118 section 1303 under Voluntary Choice of Coverage of Abortion Services" the Health & Human Services Secretary is given authority to determine when abortion is allowed under the government-run health plan. Leader Reids plan also requires that at least one insurance plan offered in the Exchange covers abortions (line 13 p. 120).
What is even more alarming is that a monthly abortion premium will be charged of all enrollees in the government-run health plan. Its right there beginning on line 11 page 122 section 1303 under Actuarial Value of Optional Service Coverage."
The premium will be paid into a U.S. Treasury account and these federal funds will be used to pay for the abortion services.
Section 1303(a)(2)(C) describes the process in which the Health Benefits Commissioner is to assess the monthly premiums that will be used to pay for elective abortions under the government-run health plan and for those who are given an affordability credit to purchase insurance coverage that includes abortion through the Exchange.
The Commissioner must charge at a minimum $1 per enrollee per month.
A majority of Americans believe that health care plans should not be mandated to provide elective abortion coverage and a majority of Americans do not believe government health care plans should include abortion coverage.
Currently federal appropriations bills include language known as the Hyde Amendment that prohibits the use of federal funds to pay for elective abortions under the Medicare
and Medicaid programs while another provision known as the Smith Amendment prohibits federal funding of abortion under the federal employees health benefits plan.
Many critics are saying Senate Majority Leader Reids 2074-page Health Care Bill is an affront to the American people and drastically moves away from current policy. The
National Right to Life Committee has called the Reid abortion language
completely unacceptable" saying the American people deserve more from their government than being forced to pay for abortion.
The pro-life Stupak/Pitts amendment passed the House by a vote of 240 to 194 enjoying the overwhelming support of 176 Republicans and 64 Democrats. The Stupak/Pitts Amendment codifies current law by prohibiting federal funding of elective abortions under any government-run plan or plans available under the Exchange.
The Reid plan ignores the will of a bipartisan majority of the House and indeed the American people by rejecting this bipartisan amendment.
Health care reform should not be used as an opportunity to use federal funds to pay for elective abortions. Health reform should be an opportunity to protect human life not end it and the American people agree.
House Republicans have offered a common-sense responsible solution that would reduce health care costs and expand access while protecting the dignity of all human life. The Republican plan available at
HealthCare.GOP.gov would codify the Hyde Amendment and prohibit all authorized and appropriated federal funds from being used to pay for abortion.
Under the Republican plan any health plan that includes abortion coverage may not receive federal funds.
