Sr. Mary Ann Walsh, from the USCCB, just sent around this e-mail, which I post here. It’s a response to recent media inquiries about the Senate version of the health care reform bill:
The Senate Health Care Reform bill clearly expands abortion services, despite suggestions by some political leaders to the contrary. Richard Doerflinger, Associate Director, Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops notes the following.*We do not know how anyone who has spoken to the bishops could conclude that the Senate health care bill does not fund abortions. As the bishops have said in their letters to Congress, abortion problems in the Senate bill are so serious that, despite our strong support for expanding access to health care, we will have to oppose the bill unless
they are resolved.*While the Senate bill includes some language limiting the direct use of tax credits to subsidize abortion coverage, it still violates longstanding federal precedent on abortion funding in two ways.
*First, the Senate’s abortion language limits only use of tax credits for abortion in qualified health plans, not other funding in the bill. For example, the bill authorizes and appropriates $7 billion for services at community health centers (increased to $11 billion in the President*s new proposal). The Hyde amendment does not prevent direct use of these billions of dollars for elective abortions (because the funds are not provided through the appropriations bill governed by Hyde); nor does any provision in the Senate bill.
*Second, the Senate’s language on tax credits still allows subsidies for overall health plans that cover elective abortions, against the policy of the Hyde amendment and other longstanding federal laws. The bill requires each American purchasing such a plan to make a separate payment to the insurer every month, solely to pay for other people*s abortions. This is an enormous imposition on the consciences of the millions of Americans who oppose abortion.
Those who are interested can find more at the USCCB website.
posted February 27, 2010 at 10:52 am
To those who thoroughly research and inform the caring public of the realities of these HC bills, we owe a debt of gratitude. You are enabling us to understand what is being proposed and thereby encouraging us to act responsibly. Thank you.
posted February 27, 2010 at 11:32 am
“*Second, the Senate’s language on tax credits still allows subsidies for overall health plans that cover elective abortions, against the policy of the Hyde amendment and other longstanding federal laws. The bill requires each American purchasing such a plan to make a separate payment to the insurer every month, solely to pay for other people*s abortions. This is an enormous imposition on the consciences of the millions of Americans who oppose abortion.”
False. This provision was included as a compromise stating that if the recipient of the insurance wanted an abortion, they would have to pay separately. It does not fund the abortions of other people. Also, community health centers in general provide only basic assistance to rural areas. They do not typically provide abortions, so that argument is invalid and misleading as well.
Even the Catholic Hospitals have come out in support of the Senate Health Care abortion compromises. The bishops are simply proving themselves to be another arm of the Republican obstruction machine, and as a result will continue to lose the respect of Catholic Americans.
posted February 27, 2010 at 1:04 pm
CHALL8987 is trying to spin this. Those that want abortions WILL PAY AN EXTRA FEE AS PART OF there monthly premium. THIS BECOMES A POOL OF MONEY. As for Community Health Centers. When does CHALL8987 think those people in rural areas get abortions?
posted February 27, 2010 at 2:46 pm
No, Bob Beck, but you seem to be doing some spinning.
Yes, there will be a pool of money from people who pay to have abortion covered, but you neglect to mention that only people who choose to will pay into that fund, and it will only benefit people who pay into it. Thus, it is a private and not public money.
Also, people in rural areas often have to drive considerable distances to get abortions if they want one because community health centers won’t provide them. For example, in Mississippi there is only one abortion clinic in the entire state, forcing any woman who wants/needs an abortion there to travel to it twice because they have to register and then wait 24 hours to actually have the procedure done. If they could just go to the local community health center, then why wouldn’t they?
posted March 4, 2010 at 12:08 am
“Health is wealth” is known to all and everyone wants good health. That means no one wants to leave this wealth. So, Let us build a food habit discipline, keep pace with work, rest and or exercise to Achieve good health, The ultimate wealth.