Nineteen pro-life House Democrats have signed a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) expressing their opposition to any health care reform that includes abortion funding.
“We cannot support any health-care reform proposal unless it explicitly excludes abortion from the scope of any government-defined or subsidized health insurance plan. Plans to mandate coverage for abortions, either directly or indirectly (are) unacceptable.
We want to ensure that the Health Benefits Advisory Committee cannot recommend abortion services be included under covered benefits or as part of benefits package. Without an explicit exclusion, abortion could be included in a government subsidized health care plan under general health care,” they wrote.
The letter was signed by Reps. Dan Boren (D-Okla.), Bart Stupak (D-Mich.), Collin Peterson (D-Minn.), Tim Holden (D-Pa.), Travis Childers (D-Miss.), Lincoln Davis (D-Tenn.), Heath Shuler (D-N.C.), Solomon Ortiz (D-TX), Mike Mclntyre (D-N.C.),Jerry Costello (D-Ill.), Gene Taylor (D-Miss.), James Oberstar (D-Minn.), Bobby Bright (D-Ala.), Steve Driehaus (D-Ohio), Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio), Charlie Melancon (D-La.), John Murtha (D-Pa.), Paul Kanjorski (D-Pa.), and Kathleen Dahlkemper (D-Pa.).
Taxpayer dollars are already going toward programs that fund abortion. Planned Parenthood alone consumes about $349 million a year in federal and state tax subsidies, CNS News reports.
July 1, 2009 at 8:34 am
As a Republican, there are few issues on which I agree with these Democrat members of Congress. Murtha’s name stands out as one I know I have nothing in common with. Still I commend these Democrats for their pro-life stance and having the backbone to write this letter to liberal and pro-life foe, Speaker Pelosi.
Life issues should transcend party affiliation, and by their actions, these people show that they recognize that. I commend them for their forthright pro-life position.
July 1, 2009 at 9:16 am
I’d like to build on what Joe said. I notice that each of the Democrat names links to their web sites. Each site has a contact page. Join me in sending these U.S. Representatives thank you notes. I wrote a brief note this morning and will plug it in to five sites at a time. That way I can contact the entire list of 19 at a leisurely pace and still let them know how much I respect their position in favor of the most vulnerable among us. This is a rare opportunity and we should take advantage of it.
July 1, 2009 at 10:28 am
This letter to Speaker Pelosi was a commendable act. I’ve written each of these House Dems to thank them. And, thank you for the tip, Jana.
July 1, 2009 at 4:01 pm
Nice gesture, but I doubt it will carry any weight. BHO sold out to Planned Parenthood a long time ago and Pelosi will support his agenda. Just another reason we need to make sure that Obamacare dies and is never resuscitated.