GAO REPORT: President’s health care law is funding abortions

WASHINGTON—Today, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report confirming that federal tax dollars are being used to pay for abortions under the President’s health care law.

GAO found—despite the President’s promise in 2009 that under his health care law “no federal dollars will be used to fund abortions”—more than 1,000 health insurance plans, supported by your tax dollars, are doing just that. 

“This is just another example of the broken promises that were made by the President to justify enactment of his health care law,” said Congressman Luke Messer.  “Most people in my district don’t think their tax dollars should be spent this way.  I couldn’t agree more.” 

The Affordable Care Act established health insurance exchanges where eligible individuals can purchase insurance that includes abortion coverage.  If the plan covers abortion in cases other than rape, incest or to save the life of the mother, a separate payment for the abortion or “abortion surcharge” must be collected.  However, according to the GAO, none of the insurers interviewed actually collected a separate payment.  

Longstanding Federal policy, often referred to as the Hyde Amendment, prohibits the use of taxpayer dollars to pay for abortion.  The Affordable Care Act circumvents this policy by establishing the “surcharge.”

Congressman Messer cosponsored and has voted for the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act (H.R. 7), which passed in the House.  It stops taxpayer funding for abortion and for plans that include abortion in all Federal programs.  The bill is awaiting action by the U.S. Senate like many other common-sense, House-passed measures.  

“Our greatest concerns are now being realized when it comes to abortion coverage in Obamacare,” said Mike Fichter, President of Indiana Right to Life.  “We warned this would be the case, but our concerns were consistently dismissed by Obamacare supporters in the House whose vote put Obamacare over the top.  The Obama administration and Democratic leadership in Congress are proving once again they will promote and advance abortion at all costs, even when it means being dishonest with the American people.  I applaud Congressman Messer for voting for H.R. 7 and for his leadership on this issue.”