WASHINGTON- Today, Congressman Henry E. Brown, Jr. (R-SC), holder of a 100% pro-life legislative voting record, issued the following statement in opposition to any health care reform that includes federal mandates and taxpayer funded subsidies for abortion:
“Today, families all across the nation are struggling to afford health care for themselves and their families. It is essential that we begin to work towards a reform plan that will truly lower the cost of health care; unfortunately, Congressional Democrats have other plans in mind.
With the unequivocal support of President Obama, they’ve written a health-care bill that won’t lower health-care costs for American families, but will require them to subsidize abortion with their hard-earned tax dollars. While Congress has prevented taxpayer funding of abortion in other bills since 1976, the health reform bill currently being pushed through Congress sets the stage for forcing taxpayers and private insurance companies to subsidize abortions.
As a staunch supporter of a culture of life, I find it completely unacceptable to ask Americans to support a procedure many feel is wrong, except in the most extreme cases.
The American people are demanding relief from today’s monstrous health care cost, but Democrats are ignoring their cries by forcing legislation through Congress that will not only, according to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), raise taxes, but force taxpayers to subsidize abortion, a policy that 71% of Americans oppose (Zogby Poll, November 2008).”
Provisions in the Democrat’s bill will allow the federal government to classify abortion as an "essential benefit" — a health-care right that would be guaranteed to all Americans. This will make it illegal for health-care providers nationwide — even Catholic and religious-based hospitals with missions that reflect a fundamental moral objection to the killing of the unborn — to provide anything less than abortion on demand for anyone who seeks it.
Earlier this week Congressmen Johnson, Souder and Cantor offered amendments to prevent taxpayer-funded abortions and to prohibit mandates on insurers to cover abortion. All amendments were defeated by the Democratic majority in committee.
Peter Orszag, President Obama’s budget director, was asked July 19 whether the president would pledge that "no taxpayer money will go to pay for abortions" under the health-care bill he signs. He responded, “I am not prepared to say explicitly that right now."
Additionally, 20 pro life Democrats have signed a letter stating they would oppose any health care reform legislation that does not explicitly exclude abortion. Nevertheless, if the bill comes to the floor without additional language to exclude abortion mandates and subsidies, it will likely result in the largest expansion of abortion since Roe v. Wade.
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