Obama Doesn't Want Abortion Money In Health Care Reform: Sebelius

WASHINGTON — Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius says the president supports language in health overhaul legislation that explicitly prohibits money for abortions.

Sebelius says President Barack Obama has made it clear that his health care goals do not include using public money to pay for abortions.

The health secretary says Obama will include wording in overhaul legislation that explicitly prohibits the practice.

Sebelius was interviewed on ABC's "This Week."

Comments

[paris0549]

If you are a republican that is anti-choice, then, by creating a logical chain, you should also be pro-universal health care. It's weird to me that conservatives want to make women have babies by using the government, but they don't want to help the babies after they are born, because they don't like the government. Either you want government or you don't. You want to make sure that all people can have all the guns they want, when it is proven that these guns will be used to kill people, and that doesn't pose a moral issue? Republicans are so hypocritical it makes my head spin.

[octoberxs]

For the right everyone does have a right to life, in life that being from the moment of conception to the moment of live birth. Outside of that it's free market and insurance corporation death panels for all. Typical corporate insurance line of thinking - "Sorry but treating your illness will undercut our profit margins, we're going to have to deny your claim for the insurance you've been paying on for the last two decades."

[liberal]

What ever happened to freedom of choice?

[eden4barack08]

Nothing! Abortion is still legal as per Roe v Wade. And thank god!
But just because it's legal doesn't mean the government should fully pay for it.

What would be next? The NRA claiming the government has to pay for guns, because possession is legal under the Constitution?

IMO "choice" is the key word here.

[PlanoBlue]

Could someone put some duck tape over Michelle Bachmann's mouth please?

[Chbronze]

Isn't this the same path taken with the Justice Dept. investigations? Everyone from the administration saying no, no, no we don't want to take this controversial path, all the while everyone knows what is going to happen. Got to get cover when making tough decisions, God, I love to see strong leadership.

[sunnybunny]

I am pro choice. But, I have yet to meet a single person who is raising a child ONLY because they couldn't come up with the money for an abortion. Are they really out there?

[zg1968]

Yes - and many had kids because by the time they scraped up the money they would have fallen into the "late term abortion period" and lost their choice.

[sunnybunny]

Right, so they lost their choice because it took so long to get the money, I'm with you there. That is exactly what I'm talking about. How many do you know personally? I don't know any that will admit to it. I know people who spent their whole first paycheck or welfare check to have one, but I don't know anyone who couldn't come up with the money when it came down to it. (And I have have never seen an abortion provider willing to take payments or bill the patient)

[daveincolorado]

Even if tax payer dollars were to be used to pay for abortions, how is that different than having those same abortions paid for by insurance premiums? We all pay into the tax-funded public option and we all pay into the insurance companies' coffers - both methods pay for covered medical procedures. if an insurance company will pay for an abortion, everyone who carries that insurance is paying for that abortion.

[CelticMajic]

The difference is, that sublime word: "choice". Under a private insurance plan, one can choose not to participate, under a government mandated plan, no such "choice" exists.

[daveincolorado]

Wrong. a woman can chose not to have the abortion - nothing says she has to have it. You don't have a choice of whether or not to pay the premium if you want to have the coverage.

[republicrat1]

the right thing to do

[Okieborn]

I do not see a worry or concern about abortion !!
The Haealthcare reform that is coming down the pike isn't going to be nothing more than a watered down piece of crap !!!!

[CelticMajic]

Abortions not as a result of rape are one of many "life style" health issues. Should the taxpayer pay for the health care that results from personal lifestyle choices? Smoking, Drug abuse, Obesity, and many others?

[who38]

Good point. I want to get into that group that is exclusively for the non-obese.

[HPdevotee]

Let's take it a step further...ideology.

I don't want to pay for ANY republican's healthcare..ever. Ahhh there, now I feel like I've done all I can to punish those who think/believe differently than myself and my conscious is clear.

(/sarcasm)

[annie g]

Life starts in the womb, but it also continues once the child leaves the mother's body. So, why do these so called pro lifers only believe that life only exists in the womb? Life is not just as important after someone is born?
They murder abortion doctors without knowing all of the facts of the woman's health issues that he/she are providing. Yet out of all of the fetuses that they have "saved", what if one or some decide to grow up and become doctors who perform abortions? Does that mean by then the doctor's life has no meaning anymore?

[lvdragonlady]

I wish people would remember that this is America and we have the right to choose what we do with our bodies. I do not want some wing nut telling me what I can or can not do, because of what THEY believe is right. You do your thing and I will do mine.

[CelticMajic]

Is it ok for the rest of us not to be on the hook to pay for your thing?

[zg1968]

I bet there's a bunch of things you do that I don't want to pay for. Just like there is a bunch of stuff the government does that I don't want to pay for. We don't seem to have a buffet style of government, not sure why people want a buffet when it comes to womens' health.

[who38]

Sure, as long as I don't have to pay for your obesity and its concommitant diseases of diabetes, heart problems, and weakened joints.

[jsgaetano]

Current, for-profit insurance policies already cover abortions.

By throwing women under the bus, Democrats are caving in to the statement that the government IS regulating what goes on between a woman and her doctor.

The saddest thing is, the Democrats are thrown these women under the bus... and get exactly nothing in exchange for it.

[who38]

Oh yes; they are getting a much bigger litmus test for all primary candidates.

[FlamingLibrul]

I support my president, but Obama's incessant catering to interest groups who have no interest in compromise is baffling. He spends his time reassuring factions who will never come to the table in an honest, open dialogue.

His statement deploring the shooting of an anti-abortion activist (I refuse to call them "pro-life," as they are pro-gun, pro-war, and often pro-death penalty), leaves the impression that the man was killed because of his beliefs- having been targeted somehow by someone in the pro-choice movement.

The truth is, one sick man was killed by another sick man, the shooter having had no ties to activism one way or another. I am angry and disappointed, verging on disgusted. How many pro-choice doctors and activists have died, after genuinely being targeted for standing up for their beliefs? Too many.

[mikebarden]

Whoooooooooooooops
Sat down in my chair and smoked my pipe.
I'll also havta admit this:
Sometimes I wonder if the costs DO justify the means.
My nephew's neighbor had a very pre-mature baby.
They saved it. Great.
But even with insurance, it cost thme 300,000$.
And they say financial stress often breaks up families.

[who38]

And chances are that child will require another $300,000 in special education services.

[CelticMajic]

Well heck lets just K*** him

[mikebarden]

Some times I gotta take a time out and smoke my pipe.

[who38]

Well, I don't want to be in your insurance group. Smoking results in huge health problems and raises everyone's insurance premiums. Can we have an insurance group for those who approve of smoking and those who do not?