Would Abortions Be Covered Under New Public Health Plan?

World Magazine's blog recently reported that a group of 19 pro-life Democrats in the House told Speaker Pelosi they would not support a public option if it covers abortion.  These Dems may be a bit naive, because even if the plan did not cover the awful procedure initially, it could be changed later to to do so.

Meanwhile, Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council answers the question as to whether health care reform will force taxpayers to pay for abortion:

The short answer is yes, because there is no explicit provision in the bill to:

• Prevent taxpayer funding of abortions as part of the health care benefit Congress is considering. It is ironic that taxpayer-funded abortions would be considered a "health care benefit" since the baby gets no health care benefit from abortion.

Meanwhile, Newsmax reports that various groups from the religious left are running radio advertisements in support of more socialized medicine.  Once again, we have heard no protests from the usual places regarding the need to maintain a strict wall of separationism.

Update: Perkins shows us that a Senate committee hearing reveals taxpayer funding of abortion is part of the plan:

Comments

[Fred Gregory]

Think about it. Denial of certain services to older Americans so babies can be murdered as a health benefit with taxpayer dollars. This has got to be stopped !!

[Brenda Bowers]

I am having a lot of trouble with this one too even tho in some cases I am not against abortion. But it is no surprise. This has to top all as being the most atrocious act of a callous Congress and could be expected to be a part of Obama Care. BB

[Joe Guarino]

Fred and Brenda, there are two things remarkable about this. They are so rapt with this particular cause that they feel compelled to attach it to the health reform package. But I am also impressed with the brazenness of insisting that many human lives be taken as a part of a reform package ostensibly designed to promote health; and that millions morally opposed to the practice be forced to pay for it.

If it were not so predictable, it would be pretty astonishing.