Washington, DC — Under questioning by Congressman Tim Murphy (R-PA) today before the Energy & Commerce Committee on the FY2013 Health and Human Services budget request, Secretary Kathleen Sebelius revealed why the Administration is fighting so hard for the new contraception/abortifacient mandate despite significant religious objections: Fewer pregnancies will bring down healthcare costs and pay for the Administration’s Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

Here is the exchange:

Rep. Murphy: Who is going to pay for it? There’s no such thing as a free service.

Sebelius: The reduction in a number of pregnancies compensates for the cost of contraception. The overall plan according…

TFM: Now I just want to get this on the record, Mr. Chairman. So you’re saying by not having babies born, we’re going to save money on healthcare?

Sebelius: Providing contraception as a critical preventive health benefit for women and for their children reduces healthcare costs.

TFM: Not having babies born is a critical benefit. This is absolutely amazing to me. I yield back.

During the Energy and Commerce Committee hearing, Murphy told Sebelius that the Administration’s new preventive services mandate would require religiously-affiliated employers like Catholic charities or Jewish hospitals to violate their faith in order to comply with the law.

“Not even Jesus and his apostles could adhere to [this rule],” said Murphy.
 
To watch the full exchange, visit http://www.youtube.com/user/TimMurphyPA18#p/a/u/0/K119_YnaAmQ.