Health care bill and abortion

Speaker Nancy Pelosi, center, is joined by (L-R) Majority Whip James Clyburn, and Rep. George Miller, D-Calif. during a press conference at the U.S. Capitol, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009 in Washington after the passage in the house of the health care reform bill. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)   Watch News Online Live

Last night, the health care reform bill passed the House of Representatives without the inclusion of abortion. During heavy last minute debating, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi sacrificed abortion gaining the support of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and many moderate pro-life Democrats. The change means that insurance companies that participate in the Health Insurance Exchange program will be prevented from covering abortions.

Congressman Brad Ellsworth had issued a release on November 3, 2009 stating that the issues of Abortion had to be addressed. He proposed five key changes to the bill that would prevent federal tax dollars from funding abortions. The change also ensures that those participating in the program will have access to pro life options. Brad Ellsworth changes included the following:

• Explicitly prevents all federal tax dollars from being used to provide abortions in the public option;
• Prohibits any funds from the US Treasury from paying for abortion services in any of the plans purchased through the proposed Health Insurance Exchange-private or public;
• Establishes clear, strict rules for separating public funds from the premiums of private individuals (ensuring that no public funds are ever used to pay for an abortion in any health plan offered on the Health Insurance Exchange);
• Guarantees every American participating in the Health Insurance Exchange will always have access to a pro-life insurance option;
• Expands conscience protections to prevent the government from discriminating against pro-life health insurance plans.

Brad Ellsworth is a pro life activist and member of the House Pro-Life Caucus. He holds a 100% pro life record. Pelosi’s exclusion of abortion was not met without outcry from abortion proponents, however.

Though heavy debate had taken place on Friday, it wasn't until an amendment was proposed by Representative Bart Stupak, a Devout Catholic, that headway was made. The amendment is known as the Stupak/Pitts amendment and was supported by the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops. Pro life activists nationwide are hailing Congressman Bart Stupak as a hero.

A vote was taken to back the abortion ban and passed 240-194. The health care bill passed the house last night with a 220-215 vote. Though many liberal democrats were angered by the anti abortion amendment to the bill, many moderate democrats had made it clear that they would not support the bill should it include an option for federal subsidized abortion.
 

Health Care bill passes house. Watch live now!