Senate Dem Leader May Revoke Filibuster Against Pro-Abortion Health Care Bill
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- In a Thursday interview, Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid would not rule out using a special parliamentary process to prevent pro-life advocates from stopping the pro-abortion health care bill with a filibuster. The filibuster could be the only option to prevent a huge expansion of abortion funding. With Republicans having just 40 votes and only a couple of Democrats concerned about the massive abortion funding and insurance mandates in the health care bill, a filibuster is a necessary option. But Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, a Nevada Democrat, said he doesn't want to have to use a process called reconciliation but won't take it off the table. "We're not even discussing [it]," Reid said. "We believe health care should be bipartisan. We believe we have the opportunity to do that." But when asked about comments pro-abortion Sen. Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, made earlier in the week about keeping the reconciliation option on the table, Reid admitted that it could be used. "We don't want to use reconciliation unless we have to. I hope we don't have to," Reid added. Reconciliation is a fast-track, rarely-employed budget rule that makes it so key bills can be approved on a majority vote while revoking the right of the minority to use a filibuster to hold up legislation. Full story at LifeNews.comCongressional Health Care Bill Could Trump Missouri Law Against Abortion Funding
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- When it comes to the health care bills in Congress and the issue of abortion funding, the bills could have federal taxpayer dollars paying for abortions. But, as one Missouri pro-life advocate tells LifeNews.com, the health care bill could also trump state laws that prevent abortion funding. Since 1983, Missouri has had a state law preventing abortion coverage in health insurance plans except to prevent the death of the mother. The state only allows coverage for elective abortions when the insured person purchases an optional rider that requires an additional premium payment. As Sam Lee, the head of Campaign Life Missouri, tells LifeNews.com, "This measure, of course, protects pro-life health insurance consumers in the state who are not forced to subsidize abortion coverage for other insured individuals in the health care plan." But it may face a challenge in the form of the government-run health care bills pending in Congress. Although one House committee adopted an amendment that purports to prevent trumping the state laws, the amendment does not appear in the other two versions of HR 3200. The Senate bill also presents concerns as lawmakers in one committee in July voted to include abortions in that version of a national health care plan. Full story at LifeNews.com
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- When it comes to the health care bills in Congress and the issue of abortion funding, the bills could have federal taxpayer dollars paying for abortions. But, as one Missouri pro-life advocate tells LifeNews.com, the health care bill could also trump state laws that prevent abortion funding. Since 1983, Missouri has had a state law preventing abortion coverage in health insurance plans except to prevent the death of the mother. The state only allows coverage for elective abortions when the insured person purchases an optional rider that requires an additional premium payment. As Sam Lee, the head of Campaign Life Missouri, tells LifeNews.com, "This measure, of course, protects pro-life health insurance consumers in the state who are not forced to subsidize abortion coverage for other insured individuals in the health care plan." But it may face a challenge in the form of the government-run health care bills pending in Congress. Although one House committee adopted an amendment that purports to prevent trumping the state laws, the amendment does not appear in the other two versions of HR 3200. The Senate bill also presents concerns as lawmakers in one committee in July voted to include abortions in that version of a national health care plan. Full story at LifeNews.com  Medical professionals are on the frontlines of the battle on life issues. From abortion to assisted suicide, we are challenged in the workplace to defend our beliefs and risk our employment. The National Association of Pro-life Nurses has been here for nurses since the beginning. Join with us to protect those voices. |
Sarah Palin Opposes Health Care Bill Over Abortion, Euthanasia Components
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- Former vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin released a statement on Friday saying she opposes the government-run health care bills pending in Congress. Palin, who recently ended her time as Alaska's governor, cited its pro-abortion and euthanasia components. Her statement is already drawing significant buzz on the Internet and, within 30 minutes of the statement's release, nearly 1,000 people had commented saying they supported her. "As more Americans delve into the disturbing details of the nationalized health care plan that the current administration is rushing through Congress, our collective jaw is dropping, and we're saying not just no, but hell no,' Palin said. "The Democrats promise that a government health care system will reduce the cost of health care, but as the economist Thomas Sowell has pointed out, government health care will not reduce the cost; it will simply refuse to pay the cost," she added. Palin said she worries the health care bill will be paid for on the backs of the elderly and disabled, who could be pushed into euthanasia and assisted suicide via rationing of medical treatment. Full story at LifeNews.comNew Michigan Stats Disprove Notion of High Numbers of Insurance-Paid Abortions
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- Part of the current debate on health care and abortion revolves around a phony argument from pro-abortion groups that most insurance plans pay for abortions. If that is true, then there is little change by having Congress either force insurance providers to cover abortions or having abortion in a national plan. However, new statistics from Michigan show that a miniscule percentage of women had their abortions paid for by insurance companies. Thus, the national government-run health care bills pending in Congress would result in a massive overhaul of the system, whereby Americans would be required to pay for abortions through their health insurance premiums. According to statistics from the Michigan health department this week in its survey of abortions done in 2008, just 1.8 percent of women relied in insurance coverage for their abortion. A whopping 98.1 percent of women paid the approximately $400-$500 (for a first-trimester abortion) out of their own pockets. The state figures show older women, who are more likely to have health care coverage than teenagers and college students, are more likely to have insurance-paid abortions. Even then, no age category of women had more than 2.8 percent of those getting abortions do so at insurance expense. Full story at LifeNews.com Pro-Life Groups Disappointed Senate Confirms Pro-Abortion Sonia Sotomayor
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- Leading pro-life organizations are disappointed but not surprised that the Senate, yesterday, voted overwhelmingly to approve Sonia Sotomayor for the Supreme Court. Sotomayor is an appeals court judge and pro-life groups say she will likely promote abortion once she is on the high court. The Senate voted 68-31 for Sotomayor with a handful of Republicans joining all of the chamber's Democrats to back her nomination. "Sonia Sotomayor's record of support for judicial activism and her work for the pro-abortion Puerto Rican Legal Defense Fund offer little comfort that she will be a friend to the unborn on the Supreme Court," Marjorie Dannenfelser, the president of the pro-life women's group Susan B. Anthony List, told LifeNews.com. "Given what we know about Sonia Sotomayor's own judicial philosophy, including her support of policymaking from the bench," Dannenfelser said she wouldn't be surprised if Sotomayor backs unlimited abortions. Full story at LifeNews.com
So-Called Common Ground Abortion Bill Requires Tax-Funded Abortions Nationwide
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- The new legislation in Congress whose pro-abortion sponsors insist is a common ground bill that deserves support from pro-life advocates has a little-noticed provision. New analysis from Americans United for Life discovers the bill requires all 50 states to spend taxpayer dollars funding abortions. The, that LifeNews.com has repeatedly profiled, is sponsored by pro-abortion Rep. Rosa DeLauro, a former executive director of the pro-abortion group NARAL. Her co-sponsor is Ohio Democratic Rep. Tim Ryan, who flip-flopped on abortion and hasn't cast a pro-life vote since 2006. AUL informed LifeNews.com today that, tucked into the Ryan-DeLauro bill (HR 3312) is a little-noticed provision that mandates that states provide abortion in state medical assistance programs. Language in Title VII, section 701 of the bill says that these state programs must cover "family planning" services. Since the 1970s, several federal appeals courts have read "family planning" in the Medicaid statute to include elective abortion, unless the bill contains an express exclusion of abortion, such as the Hyde Amendment. Because the Ryan-DeLauro bill contains no such exclusion, it mandates abortion coverage in state medical assistance programs, says Charmaine Yoest, the president of AUL. Full story at LifeNews.com
Michigan Abortions Increase in 2008 in Bad Economy, Had Historic Low in 2007
Lansing, MI (LifeNews.com) -- The number of abortions in Michigan rose in 2008 after posting historic lows in 2007, and a statewide pro-life group is disappointed by the news. According to statistics from the Michigan Department of Community Health released this week, the number of abortions increased 5.2 percent in 2008. For all Michigan residents, there was a net increase of 1,158 abortions or 4.8 percent and a rise in abortions done on women residing out of state pushed the numbers higher. The report indicates 25,970 abortions were done in 2008 compared with 24,683 in 2007. The 2007 had been heralded by pro-life advocates because it represented the lowest number of reported abortions in Michigan since reporting began in 1979. Despite the rise in abortions in 2008, the educational and legislative work of Right to Life groups, combined with the pregnancy help centers and abstinence organizations, abortions have dropped 47.4 percent since 1987. Right to Life of Michigan officials told LifeNews.com today that, while the information for last year is disappointing because of the increase in abortions, the news is not surprising. Michigan has been hit hard economically and that has resulted in an increase in abortions as women don't feel economically able to raise a child. "We are grieved by the slight increase in Michigan abortions," Right to Life of Michigan president Barbara Listing told LifeNews.com. "Each and every abortion destroys an innocent, irreplaceable human life." Full story at LifeNews.com
Kansas Pro-Life Advocates Press State Officials to Probe Abortionist Leroy Carhart
Wichita, KS (LifeNews.com) -- Kansas pro-life advocates are, once again, asking state officials to move forward with a probe of late-term abortion practitioner LeRoy Carhart. They say the investigation is more important now than before because Carhart is advancing plans to open a new late-term abortion business in the state. Kansans for Life filed a complaint in 2007 with the Kansas Board of Healing Arts to examine whether or not Carhart violated state law requiring a second physician to sign off on late-term abortions. The doctor is supposed to be independent of the abortion practitioner and is required to confirm that the late-term abortion in question complies with state law requiring it to be medically necessary. Carhart's abortion center would replace that of late-term abortion practitioner George Tiller, who had been facing the same complaint from the state medical board at the time he was shot and killed by a gunman unaffiliated with any pro-life group. David Gittrich, the state development director for KFL, told the Wichita Eagle that "We want our petition re-investigated." Full story at LifeNews.com
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- Leading pro-life organizations are disappointed but not surprised that the Senate, yesterday, voted overwhelmingly to approve Sonia Sotomayor for the Supreme Court. Sotomayor is an appeals court judge and pro-life groups say she will likely promote abortion once she is on the high court. The Senate voted 68-31 for Sotomayor with a handful of Republicans joining all of the chamber's Democrats to back her nomination. "Sonia Sotomayor's record of support for judicial activism and her work for the pro-abortion Puerto Rican Legal Defense Fund offer little comfort that she will be a friend to the unborn on the Supreme Court," Marjorie Dannenfelser, the president of the pro-life women's group Susan B. Anthony List, told LifeNews.com. "Given what we know about Sonia Sotomayor's own judicial philosophy, including her support of policymaking from the bench," Dannenfelser said she wouldn't be surprised if Sotomayor backs unlimited abortions. Full story at LifeNews.comSo-Called Common Ground Abortion Bill Requires Tax-Funded Abortions Nationwide
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- The new legislation in Congress whose pro-abortion sponsors insist is a common ground bill that deserves support from pro-life advocates has a little-noticed provision. New analysis from Americans United for Life discovers the bill requires all 50 states to spend taxpayer dollars funding abortions. The, that LifeNews.com has repeatedly profiled, is sponsored by pro-abortion Rep. Rosa DeLauro, a former executive director of the pro-abortion group NARAL. Her co-sponsor is Ohio Democratic Rep. Tim Ryan, who flip-flopped on abortion and hasn't cast a pro-life vote since 2006. AUL informed LifeNews.com today that, tucked into the Ryan-DeLauro bill (HR 3312) is a little-noticed provision that mandates that states provide abortion in state medical assistance programs. Language in Title VII, section 701 of the bill says that these state programs must cover "family planning" services. Since the 1970s, several federal appeals courts have read "family planning" in the Medicaid statute to include elective abortion, unless the bill contains an express exclusion of abortion, such as the Hyde Amendment. Because the Ryan-DeLauro bill contains no such exclusion, it mandates abortion coverage in state medical assistance programs, says Charmaine Yoest, the president of AUL. Full story at LifeNews.comMichigan Abortions Increase in 2008 in Bad Economy, Had Historic Low in 2007
Lansing, MI (LifeNews.com) -- The number of abortions in Michigan rose in 2008 after posting historic lows in 2007, and a statewide pro-life group is disappointed by the news. According to statistics from the Michigan Department of Community Health released this week, the number of abortions increased 5.2 percent in 2008. For all Michigan residents, there was a net increase of 1,158 abortions or 4.8 percent and a rise in abortions done on women residing out of state pushed the numbers higher. The report indicates 25,970 abortions were done in 2008 compared with 24,683 in 2007. The 2007 had been heralded by pro-life advocates because it represented the lowest number of reported abortions in Michigan since reporting began in 1979. Despite the rise in abortions in 2008, the educational and legislative work of Right to Life groups, combined with the pregnancy help centers and abstinence organizations, abortions have dropped 47.4 percent since 1987. Right to Life of Michigan officials told LifeNews.com today that, while the information for last year is disappointing because of the increase in abortions, the news is not surprising. Michigan has been hit hard economically and that has resulted in an increase in abortions as women don't feel economically able to raise a child. "We are grieved by the slight increase in Michigan abortions," Right to Life of Michigan president Barbara Listing told LifeNews.com. "Each and every abortion destroys an innocent, irreplaceable human life." Full story at LifeNews.comWichita, KS (LifeNews.com) -- Kansas pro-life advocates are, once again, asking state officials to move forward with a probe of late-term abortion practitioner LeRoy Carhart. They say the investigation is more important now than before because Carhart is advancing plans to open a new late-term abortion business in the state. Kansans for Life filed a complaint in 2007 with the Kansas Board of Healing Arts to examine whether or not Carhart violated state law requiring a second physician to sign off on late-term abortions. The doctor is supposed to be independent of the abortion practitioner and is required to confirm that the late-term abortion in question complies with state law requiring it to be medically necessary. Carhart's abortion center would replace that of late-term abortion practitioner George Tiller, who had been facing the same complaint from the state medical board at the time he was shot and killed by a gunman unaffiliated with any pro-life group. David Gittrich, the state development director for KFL, told the Wichita Eagle that "We want our petition re-investigated." Full story at LifeNews.comNew Jersey Polls Show Governor Candidate Christie Leading Pro-Abortion Corzine
Trenton, NJ (LifeNews.com) -- New polling data in the governor's race in New Jersey continues to show Republican challenger Chris Christie holding a substantial lead over pro-abortion Gov. Jon Corzine. A new Rasmussen Reports survey of voters in the Garden State finds Christie on top 50% to 37%. Another 5 percent prefer another candidate and eight percent of voters are unsure. The 13 percentage point lead is a gain for Christie over his pro-abortion counterpart, as a Rasmussen poll had Christie ahead by just seven percent in early July. In that poll, Christie’s lead stretched to 12-points when "leaners" were included and Rasmussen says it now appears those who were leaning in the challengers direction have become more firm in their decision. Leaners are those who initially indicate no preference for either of the candidates but answer a follow-up question and say they are leaning towards a particular candidate. Currently, Christie’s lead is at 13-points both with and without leaners. The Rasmussen poll finds 84 percent of Republican voters now back Christie, but only 64% of Democrats support Corzine. The GOP candidate leads 64% to 19% among voters not affiliated with either major party. Full story at LifeNews.com Study Finds Blacks Never Use, Minorities Rarely Use Oregon Assisted Suicide Law
Salem, OR (LifeNews.com) -- A new study points out an interesting phenomenon in the numbers from Oregon concerning patients who use its law to kill themselves via assisted suicide. The study points out that black Americans never use and minorities rarely use the law to end their own lives. Since Oregon enacted its first-in-the-nation law to allow assisted suicides, 401 people have used the law to take their lives with the help of a physician. Yet, of those deaths, 391 involved white people. None involved African-Americans, just seven people were Asian, two Hispanic and one Native American. A new article in the Journal of Clinical Ethics examines why and finds that 80 percent of terminally ill patients never consider assisted suicide. Although only two percent of Oregon's population is black, Patricia King, a law professor at Georgetown University who has written about blacks and assisted suicide, explains that historic African-American values may be at odds with the practice. She says that a combination of distrust of the health care system and pro-life values coming from strong religious views may play a part. “I would just speculate that African-Americans may have religious views about death and dying and taking one's own life that might be relevant here," she says. Full story at LifeNews.com
Salem, OR (LifeNews.com) -- A new study points out an interesting phenomenon in the numbers from Oregon concerning patients who use its law to kill themselves via assisted suicide. The study points out that black Americans never use and minorities rarely use the law to end their own lives. Since Oregon enacted its first-in-the-nation law to allow assisted suicides, 401 people have used the law to take their lives with the help of a physician. Yet, of those deaths, 391 involved white people. None involved African-Americans, just seven people were Asian, two Hispanic and one Native American. A new article in the Journal of Clinical Ethics examines why and finds that 80 percent of terminally ill patients never consider assisted suicide. Although only two percent of Oregon's population is black, Patricia King, a law professor at Georgetown University who has written about blacks and assisted suicide, explains that historic African-American values may be at odds with the practice. She says that a combination of distrust of the health care system and pro-life values coming from strong religious views may play a part. “I would just speculate that African-Americans may have religious views about death and dying and taking one's own life that might be relevant here," she says. Full story at LifeNews.com Encourage Friends to Sign Up for Free Pro-Life News From LifeNews.com
