Just as Americans United for Life had expected, the new House health-care bill unveiled this morning includes the Capps Amendment language added during the Energy and Commerce Committee mark-up. This bill would explicitly allow federal funding of abortion through the public option and would permit federal subsidies to go to private insurance plans that cover abortion. The bill would also ensure that at least one health insurance plan must cover abortion in every area of the country.
These provisions create a dramatic change from the status quo — currently no federal dollars are used to pay for elective abortions or plans that cover abortion. Now, more than ever, pro-life members of Congress must demand the opportunity to vote on the Stupak/Pitts Amendment to prohibit abortion funding. Explicit language must be added to this health-care bill to prevent unprecedented federal funding of abortion.
– Charmaine Yoest is president and CEO of Americans United for Life.