Reading health-care bill shows it would bar the spending of federal funds for abortion

Opinion: March 18, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

When I was growing up, I learned at a half truth was a whole lie.

I was dismayed to read AUL’s lie in a full-page ad in Wednesday’s Vindicator pressuring U.S. Rep. Charlie Wilson to vote against health reform. Contrary to the ad, taxpayer dollars are not permitted to be used to pay for abortions. I contacted the offices of Tim Ryan and Sherrod Brown. They indicate it is long-standing federal policy under the Hyde Amendment to prohibit use of “taxpayer dollars” to fund abortions except in the case of rape, incest, or to save the life of the mother. I’m confident nearly all of the ad’s “seven in 10 voters” agree with the exceptions.

AUL claims the Senate bill permits federal funding of abortions. This part of a smear campaign being waged against the health reform legislation. I have read the Senate bill. Since the bill is long and complicated, I used the computer’s search function to find every reference to abortion. The Senate bill does not permit use of federal funds to provide abortion services. It requires the Secretary of HHS to assure that no federal funds are used for abortions. No federal funds may be denied to providers who, because of conscience, refuse to perform abortions.

In fairness, the Senate bill permits policies offered by private insurers in the proposed exchanges to include abortion coverage just like they do today; but the cost of such coverage must be computed by actuaries and paid for by the premiums of the individuals or employers who purchase the policies. Specific accounting procedures are required to insure federal funds aren’t used to pay for abortions.

I hope every voter in Congressman Wilson’s district lucky enough to have health insurance considers what might happen should they be laid off. How long will you be able to pay health insurance premiums before you must choose between your health and your house payment?

Richard Ostheimer, Youngstown