The entire weight of the pending bill(s) is a crushing burden on the American people. To many of us, the massive debt, the loss of freedom, the welcoming hand to criminal trespassers and the death of innocents are similar size boulders. Any one will smash you; some will smash you flatter. None of them are inconsequential.

The issues about abortion and illegal immigrant coverage are inconsequential.

Enrique on October 23, 2009 at 4:18 PM

Sure, the invasion of liberty interests is the most pernicious aspect of the various health care bills (though some will passionately argue that there is no greater than the sanctity of life). Apart from the abortion issue and immigration policy is the credibility gap that widens day by day. All of these bills are hiding behind a thicket of lies, and the treatment of the issues you cite are no different.

I have read portions of the Senate Finance Committee bill, and I assure you that there is a specific provision for abortion (unfortunately I do not have my research notes with me at this location to give you a citation). Right smack dab in the middle of the bill is an “opt-in, opt-out” provision. Under the exchange plans, a person can elect to have abortion coverage or not. Of course, those who opt out will be paying for those who opt in. It’s the same risk pool whichever you choose. When a democrat claims that abortion is not paid for under the plan, that assertion is absolutely false.

If a democrat ever tells us that their legislation honors our conservative values and we believe it, they are laughing at us. We may as well be hunting for snipe. They have no incentive whatsoever to honor our values.

We get bills that no one reads, no one understands, and that cannot possibly accomplish what the liberals claim. These things are released into an atmosphere of deceit, and the only thing that can live in that acrid environment is a lie. So, yes, abortion and immigration matter beyond parochial passions. When the truth no longer matters, neither do we.

I. AM. JOE. WILSON.

sammypants on October 23, 2009 at 3:08 PM

You are correct. Anyone reading HR3200 can see it plainly.

Here’s the current Hyde Amendment, as I understand it:

(a) None of the funds appropriated under this Act shall be expended for any abortion.
(b) None of the funds appropriated under this Act shall be expended for health benefits coverage that includes coverage of abortion.
(c) The term health benefits coverage’ means the package of services covered by a managed care provider or organization pursuant to a contract or other arrangement.
Section 510 continues as follows:

(a) The limitations established in the preceding section shall not apply to an abortion–
(1) if the pregnancy is the result of an act of rape or incest; or
(2) In the case where a woman suffers from a physical disorder, physical injury, or physical illness, including a life-endangering physical condition caused by or arising from the pregnancy itself that would, as certified by a physician place the woman in danger of death unless an abortion is performed.
(b) Nothing in the preceding section shall be construed as prohibiting the expenditure by a State, locality, entity, or private person of State, local, or private funds (other than a State’s or locality’s contribution of Medicaid matching funds).
(c) Nothing in the preceding section shall be construed as restricting the ability of any managed care provider from offering abortion coverage or the ability of a State or locality to contract separately with such a provider for such coverage with State funds (other than a State’s or locality’s contribution.

The fight is over whether any federal funds or subsidies should be given to any plan that allows abortion, whether or not the funds are used for that purpose. I think it’s accurate to say that, with the language I previously saw (but didn’t review in the markup), no federal funds will be directly used for abortions.

BTW, the bill has the following provision about assisted suicide. If the abortion and suicide are to be treated similarly, should the Right to Life be arguing that no federal funds should be provided to any plans that allow assisted suicide, rather than just allowing no funds to directly be used for that purpose?

The Federal Government, and any State or local government or health care provider that receives Federal financial assistance under this Act (or under an amend
ment made by this Act) or any health plan created under this Act (or under an amendment made by this Act), shall
not pay for or reimburse any health care entity to provide for any health care item or service furnished for the pur pose of causing, or for the purpose of assisting in causing, the death of any individual, such as by assisted suicide, euthanasia, or mercy killing.

Ian Kilmister

The issues about abortion and illegal immigrant coverage are inconsequential.
Enrique on October 23, 2009 at 4:18 PM

They may appear inconsequential as part of a 1200 plus pages of a health care bill to you but every T that isn’t crossed and I that isn’t dotted that contribute to the bills defeat is important.Abortion is a huge issue to a very large group of religious organizations.

I believe the term you are looking for is Pro-American

gstep58 on October 23, 2009 at 3:21 PM

Something Barack Obama has never been accused of.

Opposing Obamacare because it will make our healthcare choices worse is a sound position. Opposing it because it might cover abortions is missing the point.

Looks like a shot across the bow from the AP to the 0. He keeps messing with Fox and finally some of the media are telling him to back off or they will really start the questions. Bring it on!!

geo on October 23, 2009 at 3:19 PM

Possibly…or some pre-emptive blame casting/rat abandoning if/when Obamacare fails to pass

But I’m sure Obamacare will be “deficit neutral”. /s

Wasn’t his “lie” comment about illegal immigrants?

Esthier on October 23, 2009 at 3:06 PM

No. His lie was about everything. Oh, you mean what Wilson meant? ;)

Hebrews: It is impossible for God to lie

White House: It is impossible for Obama to tell the truth.