Abortion will be funded under Reid bill
WASHINGTON, Dec. 8 /
Christian Newswire/ -- The Senate defeated an amendment today that would bar funding of elective abortions in the massive health care bill. By a vote of 54-45, the Senate tabled, effectively killing, the Nelson-Hatch amendment, which is similar to the Stupak-Pitts amendment in the House.
Wendy Wright, President of Concerned Women for America, stated:
"Nelson-Hatch was a reasonable amendment that does one thing: ensures federal funds are not spent on elective abortions. What the government funds, we get more of. Without this amendment, the health care bill will violate two of Pres. Obama's promises: that the bill will not fund abortion and that he will work to reduce abortions.
"Since abortion costs less than delivery of a baby, it is not unlikely that bureaucrats, facing pressure to reduce costs, will sign off on paying for abortion but not for the health care that pregnant women and their babies need. This could lead to women being coerced into abortion by their own government.
"The Senate bill is now at odds with the House version, which prohibits funding of elective abortions.
"Federal funding of abortion will increase the number of abortions and lead to higher health care costs for women who suffer complications, such as hemorrhaging, infection, subsequent premature births, and psychological issues.
"If more children are aborted, who will pay for this massive government entitlement when it balloons in 20 years?"
Concerned Women for America is the nation's largest public policy women's organization.
