Prayer-Soldier writes "On 8 Apr 10, the Wall Street Journal reported that, “Lawmakers in least six states are pushing for legislation to block abortion coverage in some health plans.” The debate was sparked after pro-life Democrats took political cover under a Presidential promise to sign an Executive Order which would ensure taxpayer funds are not used for abortion services under the provisions of the recently passed health care reform legislation. Many have questioned whether an Executive Order has any legal standing to reverse Congressional legislation.
According to the Wall Street Journal report, some states are turning to a section in the health care reform bill that enables states to take up the question and allows them to prevent plans offered through their exchanges from covering abortion at all.
Many pro-life groups felt betrayed as the pro-life Democrats threw in the towel on supporting pro-life principles. The pro-life Democrats were viewed as champions for the rights of children conceived, but not yet born. Pro-life supporters felt the pro-life Democrats gave up their hero status in favor of partisan politics. While some pro-life supporters are praying that Constitutional questions will stop the legislation, they are seeking to pickup the battle at the state level. According to an 8 Apr 10, LifeNews.com report, “Americans United for Life and other pro-life groups are assisting legislators in other states and dozens may ultimately wind up voting on similar provisions over the coming months and years.”
While the issue has been ignited in only a few states at the moment, the LifeNews.com report speculated that, “Unless lawsuits from states and other groups overturn the health care law, expect potential battles in all 50 states over the next four years as they attempt to shield their citizens from paying for at least some abortions. The bills can't stop all of the abortion funding in the new Obama-signed law, but pro-life groups say they will help.”
According to a 1 Apr 10, Guttmacher Institute overview of abortion laws, “32 states prohibit the use of state funds except in those cases when federal funds are available: where the woman’s life is in danger or the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest.” The report goes on to say, “In defiance of federal requirements, South Dakota limits funding to cases of life endangerment only.”
Cited Articles and Posts
Wall Street Journal (8 Apr 10)
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303591204575170280629165078.html?mod=rss_Politics_And_Policy
LiveNews.com (8 Apr 10)
http://lifenews.com/state4973.html
Guttmacher Institute (1 Apr 10)
http://www.guttmacher.org/statecenter/spibs/spib_OAL.pdf"