This week, the Senate Finance Committee is expected to report (vote) out of Committee Chairman Baucus’ version of health care reform. Like the other four Committees (three in the House and one in the Senate) that have reported out health care reform bills, the Senate Finance Committee failed to include in the legislation language that would adequately prevent federal funding and coverage of abortion.
Recent intelligence from the Hill indicates that a purported “compromise” on abortion funding and coverage in health care reform is in the works. Rumor has it that the template for the language will be Rep. Lois Capps’ (D-CA) amendment that was added to the House version of the bill (H.R. 3200) during the Energy and Commerce Committee mark-up.
In response to the backlash against her amendment, Rep. Capps sent a letter to Speaker Pelosi, arguing that her amendment “was carefully written to preserve the status quo regarding the ban on federal funding for abortion services.” In reality, the Capps Amendment, and the similar language in the Senate Finance Committee Bill, is a radical departure from the status quo. Here are Rep. Capps’ arguments in support of her amendment, followed by AULA’s responses.
Rep. Capps: “The Capps compromise applies the current Hyde amendment to health care reform. It prohibits federal funding for abortion beyond the cases of rape, incest or life of the woman. If a health plan chooses to offer abortion coverage beyond these exceptions, it cannot use federal funds to do so.”
AULA: This statement is inaccurate. Hyde does not apply since reform would be funded outside of HHS (to which Hyde applies). Nor, is anything like Hyde part of the Capps Amendment. While the Hyde Amendment prevents any federal funds from paying for elective abortions through Medicaid, the Capps Amendment explicitly allows the Secretary of HHS to require funding for elective abortions in the public option. Furthermore, the Capps Amendment permits government subsidies to go to private health care plans that cover elective abortion. While participating health care plans are supposed to “provide assurances” that no federal funds are used directly to pay for abortions, that does not change the fact that federal dollars are going to plans that cover elective abortions.
Rep. Capps: “[N]o money from the Treasury will be directed to abortion services . . . [because] money is transmitted to a private contractor who then reimburses physicians. . . .”
AULA: The fact that the U.S. Treasury will transmit funds to private contractors, who then pay physicians (i.e. abortionists), does not magically transform the money from federal money to private money! Furthermore, as previously stated, a private plan’s “assurances” that they are not using federal subsidies to pay for abortions is not enough – no private plans that cover abortions should receive federal subsidies. Contrast this with current law under the Hyde Amendment. Under the Hyde Amendment, the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) cannot include any plans that cover elective abortion. In other words, no federal subsidies go to health care plans that include abortion coverage. That is the status quo –the federal government does not subsidize elective abortion coverage.
Rep. Capps: “[I]n 17 states Medicaid provides coverage for abortions beyond the Hyde exceptions.”
AULA: The truth is that under the current version of the Hyde Amendment to Medicaid, states MAY NOT use federal funds or their matching funds to pay for abortions. If states want to pay for elective abortions, they must use their own revenues that are completely separate from the Medicaid program. In other words, states must appropriate additional funds, not Medicaid-matching funds, to pay for abortions. In the same way, any states that wish to pay for elective abortions for women who qualify for subsidized health care under the health reform bills may choose to set up their own programs – nothing is stopping them. However, in order for health care reform to remain consistent with the status quo, no federal dollars can go to insurance plans that cover abortion.
Rep. Capps: “[T]here is also a requirement in my amendment that in each region, there must be at least one health plan available that does not cover abortion services.”
AULA: Rep. Capps fails to mention that there is also a requirement that every region include at least one health plan that covers elective abortion. In other words, under her amendment, for the first time, the Federal government will ensure that there is a private insurance plan within everyone’s reach that covers abortion.
Rep. Capps closes the letter stating that she “worked with great diligence to craft a common ground solution.” However, there is no “common ground” in the “status quo” on federal funding and coverage of abortion. Today, elective abortion is not covered or funded under federal law. Make no mistake — the Capps amendment will change the status quo to embrace federal funding and coverage of abortion.
{ 4 trackbacks }
{ 189 comments… read them below or add one }
← Previous Comments
Abortion is the premeditated murder of the most innocent of all life on the earth and must be stopped at all cost. I do not believe that there is another sin of our day that is equal or exceeds this one evil.
Please remove the abortion mandate from the Health Reform Bill.
Please, do not use my money to kill babies. It is unthinkable.
Lord have mercy on us.
It’s not even about religion. Killing a human being is wrong and we all know it’s wrong. No matter what religion you belong to or even if you are agnostic or atheist. Many women regret they did it. Even though there are certain circumstances that it may be necessary we have a moral right and if you want this procedure you should pay out of pocket and not mine. I work way to hard to pay for everyone’s abortion.
It is also very wrong to pass such laws such as partial birth/ late term abortions. It is sick to let a baby be born and let it die from starvation. Would you be mad if someone let you starve and die? People we really need to be responsible here, if you don’t want the babies don’t blame them for your wrong doing.
Use our tax dollars to help those with crisis pregnancies instead of helping them commit infanticide and leaving them emotionally scarred for the test of their lives.
Help them with whatever they need, food, shelter, clothing, counseling, and most of all, love, hope and charity.
When we legalized abortion it made us all killers. What next, I wonder?
Abortion is murder. Plain and simple.
Lord, have mercy on us. Immaculate heart of Mary, pray for us.
We as Christians have the duty to follow the biblical laws given to us by our God and creator. To close our eyes to the fallacy of “pro-choice(abortion, pro-death, murder…)” is to be lukewarm in our faith. What did Christ say about those who are lukewarm? Christians who read their bible should know this answer and what it means.
We cannot fight credibly against other
social moral evils, including poverty
and violence while we tolerate
mass killing by abortion.
….Mother Teresa of Calcutta
American is a Country founded on the individuals right of choice of religion, worship and pursuit of abundant life for everyone — even the unborn! To force Americans to pay for abortion on demand — with our hard earned tax money– to end life for the most vulnerable in our society is immoral and unthinkable. It goes against the founding principles of this Country. As God as our witness, we do not want or condone abortion.
We say “NO” to taxpayer funded abortion!
No, to any abortion law that will be subsidized by the Obama Care.
THE Capps Amendment is no compromise. The stupak/pitts language must be included in the house bill.
The Capps amendment is no compromise, only the Hyde amendment will work!! Do not allow any federal funding for abortion!! America is great because it is good … when it ceases to be good, it will no longer be great. Abortion is speedily taking us along that path.
Abortion is a sin against God and a crime against man. Why is this such a difficult concept to understand?
The majority of Americans know from their consciences that abortion is the unjust murder of an innocent baby. Abortion is not only unconsitutional, but is a morally grave crime. We cannot allow the bill to pass because it will allow for the unjust funding of abortions. May God spare His wrath and pour His mercy on our country, although we do not deserve His mercy.
I am against abortion and believe we are taking the away the chance for the spirit children of our Heavenly Father to experience life and to fulfill their mission here on earth. Lee
ABORTION IS WRONG, WRONG, WRONG. GOD CREATES EVERY LIFE BORN OR UNBORN. ALL ARE CHILDREN OF GOD.
When my Lord asks me to account for every word that has proceeded from my mouth, I will be blessed to say that I have spoken on behalf of those little ones that have no voice yet and want to live. I oppose abortion, early, late, after birth, in any form. I oppose paying to abort a baby in any nation, including my own. Please stop it, America, please.
The Preamble states:
“ We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
Our Posterity means future geneartions (OR THOSE YET TO BE BORN). So, the unborn should be protected under the Constitution.
As it is they receive Medicaid benefits through prenatal care. When the child is born, the mother’s medicaid benefits end and the child’s continues until the first birthday. So, the Medicaid isn’t to benefit the mother, but the child! This must mean that unborn children are entitled to benefits, making them citizens that should be protected under the Constitution. Interesting, isn’t it?
How can we support laws that kill our citizens? Worse still, how can the government expect those opposed to this to pay for it?!
We are surely being tested. Who is your God? I have set before you Life and Death. Choose life. Life is Love. Love is God. There is no choice for the sheep who hear His voice. Those who do not hear should be given the “choice” of paying for their own elections. ABORTION IS NOT HEALTH CARE. Satan is your father. Ask him to pay for your dirty little deed. Jesus, Mary and Joseph, pray for us. If I have to go to jail for refusing to pay through my taxes for the killing of babies, so be it.
I’m glad to see individuals from both parties standing up for what’s right…protecting the life of the unborn. We need to keep the pressure on this topic…so it doesn’t just ‘go away’. I don’t want to my tax money to pay for this senseless killing.
In the ten commandments it says thou shalt not kill; abortion is killing the unborn life within another person. It is murder plain and simple and using my tax dollars to fund it is WRONG plain and simple. Please reconsider abortion paid by tax dollars in your so called health care solution. Thank you IN GOD I TRUST ALWAYS!!
Abortion is a moral and religious issue and should not even have any part of government funding. It goes against many citizens religious freedoms by forcing Christian to pay for babies to be murdered. I don’t understand why the government and people can’t see this. If a person want’s to take the life of their own baby then, let them do so with their own dime, not force others to pay for it. God will be the final judge on that horrific sin. It is against my religious beliefs to commit murder. I don’t want to be forced to be hired for murder.
God will bring us to our knees truly seeking him with our whole hearts someday soon, then the blind will see when it is too late. I just get so upset about this whole thing.
God help our country if our leaders see fit to include abortion funding in our new health care bill. Historically all natiions that ignore the dignity of human life are doomed to distinction.
Please do the right thing for your people.
Please do the right thing for your people. Thanks, kathy Smith
I pray for the president’s heart that he will have a heart for God’s way, only then can we be truly blessed by Him. Also, I pray for Nancy Pelosi that she may return to the teachings of the Catholic faith that she professes to belong to. I cannot pay for the killing of unborn human lives. Please hear our voices and have mercy on the unborn.
I completely and emphatically agree with Ms Bowling and Mr. Neuperts comments. Abortion is an outragious practice but if someone wants one bad enough let them pay for it themselves.
I think our country needs all of Gods help it can get. Instead of turning to Him, we are turning away from Him and this is one more step. GOD BLESS AMERICA
The Capps amendment is not enough.
Please vote for the Stupak amendment.
Please do what we hired you to do and vote to have explicit language in any and all bills about healthcare that denies any of my tax dollars to pay for abortions. Give the unborn children a choice…to LIVE!!!
No, to any abortion law that will be subsidized by the Obama Care.
THE Capps Amendment is no compromise. The stupak/pitts language must be included in the house bill.
Absolutely “NO” to any tax payer being forced to pay for or support abortion of any kind. Those who believe it is ok can pay for it. That would force everyone who doesn’t believe abortion is moral and/or ethical to support it. Where is OUR FREEDOM OF CHOICE?
Why in the world would anyone want to kill there unborn child It dosen’t make any sense at all. Our government to now want to kill it’s own future citizens dosen’t make any sense at all as well. As I recall the main purpose of the government was to empower the people not to kill them , to protect them. What is there real motive?
The Capps Amendment is not a COMPROMISE. Please do the right thing
and represent your people, not just a
minority.
Respectfully,
jane gardner
Abortion is MURDER! By adding funded abortion money to the health care package is making everybody commit murder. That is unconstitutional! This is not what America is about!
Abortion is WRONG!! It is the killing of innocent babies (human beings) created by God. This is America — and is supposed to be the land of the free. People of faith and conscience should not be forced into a health care plan that mandates abortion coverage. The Capps Amendment allows for funding for elective abortions in the public option. The new health care plan should CLEARLY STATE NO FUNDING OF ABORTIONS.
Abortion is murder of innocent children. We must adopt the Stupak/pitts language to prevent even the slightest possibility that one more baby will be killed.
Abortion is plain murder and is in no way to be identified with health.
We say NO to taxpayer funded abortion. The stupak/pitts language MUST BE included in the Health Care Reform Bill before we can accept such a killer bill.
No one consults the unborn child before tearing it apart in the womb.
WHERE IS JUSTICE FOR ALL?
No one consults the unborn child before tearing it apart in the womb.
WHERE IS JUSTICE FOR ALL?
We can be glad that science is once again making known what the Church has always known – i.e., that each and every second of an infant’s life in the womb is important, vital and worthy of every consideration and protection. Abortion is not health care and does not belong in health care reform. Over 70% of the American people oppose taxpayer-funded abortion. U.S. taxpayers should be clearly protected in law from being forced to pay for something they overwhelmingly oppose. A baby’s heart starts beating at 18-20 days, brainwaves are recorded at 40 days, and all body organs are present by 8 weeks.
Most abortions are done after 8 weeks with only 1 percent done for health of mother, rape or incest.
Anyone who has ever studied biology knows that removing a baby with a beating heart, separate gender in half the cases, separate DNA and sometimes having a different blood type, is not removing a blob of tissue that is part of the mother’s body. This abortion is killing a separate, precious, unique, human being. Another startling fact is that medical journals state the baby is capable of feeling pain at 8 weeks after conception.
Many, if not most mothers who have had an abortion, acknowledge regret the rest of their lives. Please know that there is forgiveness and healing when we admit the mistake.
No, Federal or any insurance funds sould pay for abortion because ABORTION IS WRONG, WRONG, WRONG. GOD CREATES EVERY LIFE BORN OR UNBORN. ALL ARE CHILDREN OF GOD.
No to the “closed rule”
Yes to the Stupak-Pitts
Thank you, lucie
Please say no to abortion,and keep God in our lives.
We are reaping the what we have sown thus far. Look at our Nation right at this very moment. God is merciful and will forgive us and heal our land if we will repent and turn from our evil ways. God of Heaven and of Earth has a desire to make this Nation Great again, however, it depends on each and every one of us! Will we choose Life or Death? Blessing or Curse? My prayer for this Nation is that we see the sin we have chosen over righteousness and fall on our faces in Repentance!
If a pregnant woman gets attacked and the “fetus” dies, the attacker has in some cases been prosecuted for murder. So how do we figure that it’s okay to take the life of the “fetus” (BABY) through abortion??!! Am I missing something? It was a baby when it died by the hands of a murderer, and it’s a baby when it dies by the hands of a doctor (or??).
I will not pay to have God’s children killed. The Capps Amendment is no compromise.The Stupak/Pitts language must be included in the house bill
Abortion=Convenient killing without legal repercussions
¡Abortar es matar por conveniencia!
PLEASE,PLZ, DONT USE OUR MONEY TO SUPPORT ABORTION!..MY DAUGHTER-IN-LAW HAD ONE AND STILL HAS NITEMARES STILL SO MANY YRS AFTER AND WHEN I WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT…….NOOO SHE TELLS ME…..IF YOU REALLY SUPPORT THIS AMENDMENT, THINK ABOUT IT…..ITS NOTHING SHORT OF MURDER…PLZ GO DO THE “RIGHT” THING..
More babies have been aborted than all the wars of the military lost of this country. Abortion is a great and grievious travesty of life. It would be understandable if God does not grant us mercy but wrath, but I pray God will have mercy on us.
Please support the Stupak amendment. Abortion must not be in any health care bill.
← Previous Comments