A last-minute deal with anti-abortion Democrats on the afternoon of March 21 helped garner the votes needed to approve a massive health care bill.
The eleventh hour deal between Congressman Bart Stupak and President Obama drew immediate fire from the National Right to life Committee as a bogus attempt to garner desperately needed votes to pass what amounts to the most pro-abortion federal legislation since the Roe v. Wade decision. On the day of the vote, the NRLC issued this statement:
THE SEVEN DEADLY PROVISIONS...
1. Direct funding of abortion ($7 billion) through the Community Health Centers program. (Sect. 10503)
The health care bill creates funding streams unfettered by federal restrictions that apply to other funding sources. CHCs are already getting advice on how to circumvent federal restrictions and use taxpayer dollars for abortion services. (see
http://www.reproductiveaccess.org/getting_started/faq.htm)
2. Billions in other direct appropriations not covered by abortion restrictions. (Sect. 1101 and 1322)
Additional pools of money without any restrictions for abortions, including a temporary high-health risk pool program and grants and loans for health co-ops.
3. Federally administered abortion plans. (Sect. 1334)
Only one of the federal OPM multi-state insurance plans would restrict abortions, implying that other federal plans may cover elective abortions or even be required to.
4. Federally subsidized abortion plans. (Sect. 1303)
Private plans that cover abortion will qualify for federal subsidies. Participants pay an abortion surcharge.
5. Authorities for pro-abortion mandates.
Broad power given to pro-abortion Health Secretary Sebelius to issue binding regulations on health matters, including the ability to issue future mandates requiring health care plans to cover abortions.
6. Open door to future abortion funding in Indian health programs. (Sect. 10221)
No restrictions on abortions in the reauthorized
federal Indian health program.
7. Missing abortion nondiscrimination (conscience) language.
Pro-abortion senators blocked the health care conscience provisions that the House bill contained and the House just voted to uphold that blockage. As a result health care providers may face penalties for refusing to participate in abortion services.