Why We Need An Amendment
In talking to people about Health Care reform, and the problem of tax-payer funded abortions, I have realized there is a good bit of confusion.
Some think the debate over whether or not Health Care reform will pave the way for tax-payer funded abortion to be a pointless idea. While others believe that the Hyde Amendment bans federal money from paying for abortions. This however is only partly true.
I want to quickly give the reason why we need an amendment that clearly states that no money will be used to pay for abortions in anyway.
Simply put, the Hyde Amendment will not do the trick!
The Hyde Amendment is a "rider" bill -- meaning it is a "limitation amendment" of sorts. The Hyde amendment restricts funding of abortions by creating rules for the appropriation of funds within Medicaid.
Here is the part of the Hyde Amendment I am referring to:
"SEC. 507. (a) None of the funds appropriated in this Act, and none of the funds in any trust fund to which funds are appropriated in this Act, shall be expended for any abortion. (b) None of the funds appropriated in this Act, and none of the funds in any trust fund to which funds are appropriated in this Act, shall be expended for health benefits coverage that includes coverage of abortion. . . SEC. 508. (a) The limitations established in the preceding section shall not apply to an abortion-- (1) if the pregnancy is the result of an act of rape or incest; or (2) in the case where a woman suffers from a physical disorder, physical injury, or physical illness, including a life-endangering physical condition caused by or arising from the pregnancy itself, that would, as certified by a physician, place the woman in danger of death unless an abortion is performed." (italics added for emphasis)
Again, Hyde prohibits tax-payer dollars from being used to pay for abortions through Medicaid. But, Hyde does not apply to other appropriations. Current health care reform legislation will not be paid for out of Medicare and thus Hyde offers no prohibition.
Therefore, we need an amendment similar to Hyde that will explicitly prohibit any tax-payer dollars from going to pay for abortions -- whether that be directly or through subsidizing public or private plans.
About the Author
Ian Kelly is the "arm chair pundit" at Moral Outcry. He has worked full time for Bound4LIFE since 2007. His other responsibilities include local chapter development and new media communications. Besides being a political junkie, he enjoys history, sci-fi, super heroes and grilling.
