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Name: Stefano
Location: Clayton, MO
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Is Abortion Included in the Politician Run Health Care Bill?

Posted by Stefano on Saturday, August 15, 2009 7:55:01 AM
We keep hearing assurances that abortion services are not mentioned in the different politician-run health care bills being considered in Congress.  I have heard such assurances from Congressman Russ Carnahan and Senator Claire McCaskill here in Missouri.  If you go to this link you will find the two amendments that were considered in the House Energy and Commerce Committee for the House government takeover of health care bill: the Capps amendment and the Pitts amendment. 
 
      http://blog.beliefnet.com/stevenwaldman/2009/07/abortion-kabuki-dance-and-heal.html  
 
The Capps amendment was ultimately adopted and the Pitts amendment was rejected.  My take on this is that the Capps amendment basically allows a provider to provide abortion services as long as no part of the premium is used for abortion services.  A "Commissioner" will determine and make sure that providers comply with this provision.  Additionally, if at any time in the future the law restricting use of federal funds for abortion is repealed (Hyde Amendment), the doors will open wide to allow abortion on demand funded by taxpayer dollars. 
 
One Senate talking point is that the Senate bill does not mention abortion and the Senate will not be voting on the House bill but rather the Senate bill.  Of course, the two bills will be brought together in a conference committee after passage in its respective chamber.  Who knows what will be added in the conference committee.  In committee, anything is possible including earmarks for John Murtha's district.
 
 
 
 
Watch this clip of Carnahan.  He is a question dodger but not a particularly agile one.  Did he read the bill?  Does he say he'll come under the bill and its public option?  Is Medicare efficient?  On the subject of abortion, the question is phrased "should abortion be covered..." rather than "is abortion covered...".  This gives him weasel room. Does Carnahan goof on his prepared abortion talking point by saying "no" the first time he states it?
 
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