Gov't Insurance Would Allow Coverage for Abortion

[tekisui]

Source: AP

WASHINGTON – Health care legislation before Congress would allow a new government-sponsored insurance plan to cover abortions, a decision that would affect millions of women and recast federal policy on the divisive issue.

Federal funds for abortions are now restricted to cases involving rape, incest or danger to the life of the mother. Abortion opponents say those restrictions should carry over to any health insurance sold through a new marketplace envisioned under the legislation, an exchange where people would choose private coverage or the public plan.

Abortion rights supporters say that would have the effect of denying coverage for abortion to millions of women who now have it through workplace insurance and are expected to join the exchange.

Advocates on both sides are preparing for a renewed battle over abortion, which could jeopardize political support for President Barack Obama's health care initiative aimed at covering nearly 50 million uninsured and restraining medical costs. The dispute could come to a head with House and Senate floor votes on abortion this fall, a prospect that many lawmakers would like to avoid.

more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090805/ap_on_go_co/us_health_care_overhaul_abortion

[Evoman]

1. Good. And anyone who is against it can swallow a coat hanger and die.

[Political Heretic]

3. Not against it, but its likely to ensure that we don't get quality health care reform.

Of course the counter-argument would be that "any health reform without coverage for abortion isn't quality in the first place."

That's probably true. But fighting for health care reform with coverage for abortions means that we probably won't see a passed bill at all, which would mean no chance of a public option, or guaranteed coverage for pre-existing conditions, or limiting of consumer fees, or tighter regulation, etc.

I know when I write this, you're initial reaction is to think that I'm saying "we should drop abortion from the health care debate." But I'm not.

What I am saying quite frankly, is that we are in a brutal, road-blocking catch-22.

[Evoman]

8. Actually, my first reaction is that your country is backwards and disgusting.

The fact that you can't pass a decent health care bill because a bunch of religious morons would oppose it is disturbing. It's not personal, of course....I understand your argument perfectly, and I don't disagree. I think you are very politically astute. But it makes me sick anyways.

[Political Heretic]

9. You'll get no disagreement from me.

[ellie]

10. It makes me sick too and I live here!

I hate repukes so much that I think bipartisanship should be permanently off the table. They have sullied the political process with their bullshit that they don't deserve a voice anymore.

[Justitia]

2. Why does this AP disinformation keep getting posted here?

Already posted and answered:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=4001616&mesg_id=4001616

[Political Heretic]

4. I doubt its clandestine - for a long time the AP used to be a trusted source of info

Then more recently it elected to change its policy toward editorializing and opinion, and that's influenced their entire spectrum of "reporting" - combined with changes on the board, and other things... the AP isn't a "neutral" source anymore.

But still, even I sometimes see "AP" and think "neutral" when I shouldn't. Old habits are hard to break.

[tekisui]

6. I am aware of their editorializing,

but, they still get some stories before other sources. Being aware that not everything in the piece may be neutral fact, it is usually clear what is opinion and what is of worth.

[kirby]

5. My proposal

Come up with a 'family planning option'. It would cost extra and would probably only be a few dollars a month. The option includes birth control AND abortion. Those who don't want their 'dollars' to go to that stuff can opt-out.

[Walk away]

7. That's a great idea but maybe too sane and logical for the wingnuts.

Maybe if you put it on a big sign with a bloody fetus and then shoot a few teabaggers they will go for it.

[rustydog]

11. That is NOT GOOD! Jesus, if this was in place when

Bill O'Really's mom got knocked up, she would have had a Government-paid abortion!