Archive for the 'Abortion' Category

Before the expected healthcare vote by the US House of Representatives, Governor Donald L. Carcieri once again urged Representatives James Langevin and Patrick Kennedy to vote against the legislation, citing the adverse consequences the proposal will have on Rhode Island taxpayers, seniors and the economy.

In the letter, the Governor cites the staggering costs of the healthcare legislation, “Over many decades, excessive spending at all levels of government, an aging population, a declining workforce, and the lack of political will to responsibly reform our entitlement programs have combined to create great risk for future generations of Americans. Our children and grandchildren are already facing the daunting prospect of overwhelming levels of debt and high taxation. All of this will be made far worse if the legislation before you becomes law.”

The letter also discusses the impact on the state’s budget. “Rhode Island faces a staggering debt of more than $400 million in Fiscal Year 2011. If Congress enacts a new entitlement program – one that pushes more unfunded mandates on states – it will make that problem significantly worse, perhaps impossible, to overcome. Tens of thousands of people will be added to the Medicaid rolls in Rhode Island, costing taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars.”

The Governor also cited concerns with how the process has occurred, with sweetheart deals and with no involvement with the nation’s governors and the lack of transparency throughout the debate. The U.S. Senate version of the healthcare legislation includes several state-specific special interest deals that were negotiated to garner swing votes, “specifically the so-called “Cornhusker Kickback,” the “Louisiana Purchase,” provisions to exempt Florida’s seniors from some of the Medicare cuts that Rhode Island seniors will face, and funding Connecticut’s new teaching hospital. Some in Congress, perhaps after hearing from the voters, claim that Congress will undo state specific deals, but claim the “Louisiana Purchase” and other sweetheart deals fall outside that umbrella. Suffice to say, the people have good reason to be skeptical.”

“At a recent meeting of the National Governors’ Association, my fellow Governors and I participated in a discussion about state efforts to reform the health care and health insurance systems. From disease management to delivery system reform, state leaders spoke of success stories. Governors asked to participate in the White House summit on the topic of health care just days later, but the invitation never arrived.”

The letter continues, “This bill is not about health care. It’s about ideology and special interests. The President promised transparency, yet no one has the opportunity to read the bill before it is voted on.”

Governor Carcieri also cites concerns that the legislation reverses the Hyde Amendment that prevents taxpayer funds from being used to pay for abortion. “Regardless of attempts to disguise the issue, the simple fact remains that a vote for this legislation is a vote to spend taxpayers’ money to terminate the lives of unborn children. For many, this is shameful, disgraceful and immoral and will violate the consciences of many Rhode Islanders.”

The letter concludes, “I believe that if you allow this legislation to pass, our state and nation will be taken further down the road to fiscal calamity, our seniors will end up with inferior health care, and our healthcare system will continue to be broken. It is my fervent hope that you will vote against this misguided piece of legislation and vote for your state, taxpayers and seniors.”

News Release: Office of the Governor

Just like the original 2,032-page, government-run health care plan from Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s (D-CA), Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s (D-NV) massive, 2,074-page bill would levy a new “abortion premium” fee on Americans in the government-run plan.

Beginning on line 7, p. 118, section 1303 under “Voluntary Choice of Coverage of Abortion Services” the Health and Human Services Secretary is given the authority to determine when abortion is allowed under the government-run health plan. Leader Reid’s plan also requires that at least one insurance plan offered in the Exchange covers abortions (line 13, p. 120).

What is even more alarming is that a monthly abortion premium will be charged of all enrollees in the government-run health plan. It’s right there beginning on line 11, page 122, section 1303, under “Actuarial Value of Optional Service Coverage.” The premium will be paid into a U.S. Treasury account – and these federal funds will be used to pay for the abortion services.

Section 1303(a)(2)(C) describes the process in which the Health Benefits Commissioner is to assess the monthly premiums that will be used to pay for elective abortions under the government-run health plan and for those who are given an affordability credit to purchase insurance coverage that includes abortion through the Exchange. The Commissioner must charge at a minimum $1 per enrollee per month.

A majority of Americans believe that health care plans should not be mandated to provide elective abortion coverage, and a majority of Americans do not believe government health care plans should include abortion coverage. Currently, federal appropriations bills include language known as the Hyde Amendment that prohibits the use of federal funds to pay for elective abortions under the Medicare and Medicaid programs, while another provision, known as the Smith Amendment, prohibits federal funding of abortion under the federal employees’ health benefits plan.

Leader Reid’s 2,074-page health care monstrosity is an affront to the American people and drastically moves away from current policy. The National Right to Life Committee has called the Reid abortion language “completely unacceptable.” The American people deserve more from their government than being forced to pay for abortion. The pro-life Stupak/Pitts amendment passed the House by a vote of 240 to 194, enjoying the overwhelming support of 176 Republicans and 64 Democrats. The Stupak/Pitts Amendment codifies current law by prohibiting federal funding of elective abortions under any government-run plan or plans available under the Exchange. The Reid plan ignores the will of a bipartisan majority of the House, and indeed the American people, by rejecting this bipartisan amendment.

Health care reform should not be used as an opportunity to use federal funds to pay for elective abortions. Health reform should be an opportunity to protect human life – not end it – and the American people agree. House Republicans have offered a common-sense, responsible solution that would reduce health care costs and expand access while protecting the dignity of all human life. The Republican plan, available at HealthCare.GOP.gov, would codify the Hyde Amendment and prohibit all authorized and appropriated federal funds from being used to pay for abortion. And under the Republican plan, any health plan that includes abortion coverage may not receive federal funds.

Source: House Republican Leader John Boehner