Religious left now speaking up against abortion in healthcare plan
Without abortion, nationalized healthcare is doomed. The abortion industry will drop support quicker than it can abort a baby.
But it appears increasingly clear it is doomed with abortion. Here’s another nail, supplied by Dan Gilgoff of U.S. News & World Report, this afternoon:
Conservative Christians have spent weeks decrying Democratic plans for healthcare reform over allegations that the proposals will increase abortion coverage, but recent days have seen a different camp raising abortion-related concerns in the healthcare fight: left-leaning religious activists….
Progressive faith leaders and organizations are pushing hard for healthcare reform along the lines that President Obama has articulated, but some of the most prominent have grown concerned with the House healthcare bill’s provisions for abortion coverage in the public health insurance plan.
They object to pooled premiums of those participating in the public plan going to abortion coverage for others in the plan, as laid out in the House healthcare bill. Americans who are opposed to abortion, the activists say, shouldn’t be forced to pay for abortion procedures for others with their premiums.
Other faith-based liberals object to the House bill’s authorization of the Dept. of Health and Human Services to decide which types of abortions are covered by the public option.
These religious activists, while opposed to much of the religious right’s agenda, are pressuring the White House and Capitol Hill Democrats to revise the amendment to the House bill that deals with abortion, authored by California Rep. Lois Capps. One idea is to offer a second public option that excludes abortion coverage. Another is to offer a supplemental insurance rider for those who want abortion coverage.
“The Capps amendment successfully addresses the vast majority of concerns the moderate pro-life community has raised regarding conscience protections and abortion funding in healthcare reform,” says Chris Korzen, executive director of the influential progressive group Catholics United. “The question of how to handle abortion coverage in the public option has proven more difficult to answer.”
Stephen Schneck, a Catholic University of America professor who has advised the WH on Roman Catholic issues, is also urging Democrats to revise the House bill….
But left-leaning activists are worried that without revising abortion provisions in the public option, the debate over abortion can bring down the whole healthcare reform effort. “As Catholics, we recognize that dramatically shifting the way we fund abortion is problematic not only for us, but also is the wrong way to go politically in terms of reaching consensus with pro-life members of Congress,” says John Gehring, deputy communications director for the liberal group Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good. “It’s definitely a sticking point, and it would be unfair to characterize it only as a conservative concern.”
Progressive faith groups have been an important part of the Democratic coalition pushing for healthcare reform….
Jill Stanek is a nurse turned speaker, columnist and blogger, a national figure in the effort to protect both preborn and postborn innocent human life.
We must push on. See they are coming around. When you see abortion you will reject it. Fight on.
Fired up yet?
At the risk of being uncharitable, what did these dopes think was going to happen when they voted for the most pro-abortion president evah??
Are they now suddenly realizing that oops! maybe he wasn’t so common-groundish like we expected?
But golly.
But he was so concerned about the war…
But he condemned torture…
But he wants to feed, house, clothe, and provide healthcare for everybody…!
Just one big WE TOLD YOU SO.
We cannot give up but must fight tooth and nail. Life is on the line.
I’m confused- is abortion even in health care?
I’ve read a blog that’s pro-choice and they said that it wasn’t and they were calling that “abhorrent” and some mythbuster sites also said that it wasn’t- only in cases to save the mother’s life. Essentially, it said that the Hyde Ammendment still applies. But some people say that it doesn’t. Eh?
Sincerely,
Lost
Individual blogs are one thing. I’d put my money on the heavy-hitters. And Obama himself.
In 2007 he stated that “reproductive healthcare” is essential care.
That tells you everything you need to know.
And for argument’s sake, let’s pretend that this bill passes and abortion is not included. Do we honestly think that Big Abortion will remain silent? Don’t you think their heads won’t collectively explode?
I just re-read your post, Vannah, and I misunderstood your questions.
It may very well be that abortion isn’t covered now. But we’re not talking about now. We’re talking about later. And that’s what frightens me to no end.
Plus, we saw how Democrats killed abortion exceptions in committees.
Plus, Obama has a promise to fulfill: Pass FOCA as one of his very first acts as president.
Posted by: carder at September 9, 2009 4:43 PM
“Plus, Obama has a promise to fulfill: Pass FOCA as one of his very first acts as president.”
——————————————————-
FOCA must be feeling like 70’s feminista who is at the front of the line for promotion, but someone ele, usually a male or a younger female, less qualified but easier on the eyes, is promoted before her.
And then when she just knows it is her turn next, affirmative action advances a targeted minority candidate instead of her.
You really have come a long way baby. Just be patient one these progressive/liberals will finally become enlightened, recognize her/his own prejudices and do the right thing and give you the reward you so justly deserve.
But wait a minute, you need to see the big picture, you need to lean in and take one for the ‘team’ and suck it up and let some one less qualified candidate take your place yet again because they posess certain intangibles that you lack.
Hey, it’s not cronyism when progressives do it. It’s networking and synergistic dynamics at work. If the river rises all the boats rise together. Never mind some of the other boats are given covered berths and the latest navigation aids.
Just be patient, keep in your place, your time will come…….eventually.
yor bro ken
“It may very well be that abortion isn’t covered now. But we’re not talking about now. We’re talking about later. And that’s what frightens me to no end.”
Exactly Carder. Apparently the bill itself does not even mention abortion, but PRIOR bill approval means a committee who can change the specifics at will … even if abortion is not mentioned (a principle); it can easily fit under the ruberics of ‘specific situations’ that are covered only as a ‘single entity’ but it has bill-approval before being spelled out. For folks who’s primary concerns are fiscal: this element alone says that if the Obama financing plan fails, other monies (read: tax increases) could be used, because this bill has already been passed.
So…it’s not approved? That’s good. We just need to watch to make certain that it doesn’t end up being funded? That certainly makes more sense…I couldn’t find anything about abortion funding anywhere.
I just wish that Darfur got even half (but preferably all and more) of the funding that abortion groups get and don’t need. :(
JOHN MCD!
It’s been way, way too long. Welcome back, my friend.
Vannah, I know at least one representative has stated that it will be included (the clip is on YouTube) and another representative said outrightly when adding an amendment for “women’s reproductive health” that the terminology was purposefully vague so it could include abortion and would not allow an amendment to specifically prohibit abortion funding.
Don’t kid yourself. These people are lying manipulators.
It’s about time.
On the question of whether or not the proposed Obama health care plan includes abortion: Who do we believe? President Obama or the Associated Press, Time Magazine and FactCheck.org?
In a recent newspaper article, Obama scoffs at the idea of the overhaul using taxpayer dollars to pay for abortions. However, an article written by Associated Press reporter Ricardo Alonzo-Zaldivar says, “Health care legislation before Congress would allow a new government-sponsored insurance plan to cover abortions, a decision that would affect millions of women and recast federal policy on the divisive issue.”
Time Magazine says that under the health care legislation, the Executive Branch would have to make a determination that abortion is a basic medical service for the service to be provided, something the Obama Administration is expected to do.
FactCheck.org, a nonpartisan watchdog group, says that the current health care plans pending in Congress do authorize abortion funding, contrary to Obama’s claims otherwise. It concludes its findings with, “Therefore, we judge that the president goes too far when he calls the statements that government would be funding abortions ‘fabrications’.”
I think the president would be advised to heed the words of his mentor, Abraham Lincoln who said, “Let the people know the facts, and the country will be safe.”
SillyMimi, loved the quote!
I think the president would be advised to heed the words of his mentor, Abraham Lincoln who said, “Let the people know the facts, and the country will be safe.”
However, it’s become blatantly apparent, particularly through the handling of the town halls, just how many within this administration honestly believe they are smarter than the rest of us. Let BB do the thinking for you kind of mentality. Congressman Stark (CA) exhibits this through and through: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjbPZAMked0
Lincoln’s quote is applicable to abortion clinic clients, too: let the women know the facts, and their babies would be safe.