function hide_user_promo_bubble_second_stage() { var bubble = $("user_promo_bubble"); bubble.style.display = "none"; } function hide_user_promo_bubble() { var bubble = $("user_promo_bubble"); var myAnim = new YAHOO.util.Anim(bubble, { opacity: { to: 0 } }, 1, YAHOO.util.Easing.easeOut); myAnim.animate(); setTimeout("hide_user_promo_bubble_second_stage()", 1100); } function handle_promo_username(params) { var bubble = $("user_promo_bubble"); var img = $("user_promo_bubble_image"); var anchor = $("user_promo_bubble_link"); if (params.has_photo == "true") { img.src = "http://images.huffingtonpost.com/profiles/" + params.user_id + "-tiny.png"; } else { img.style.display = "none"; Dom.addClass(anchor, "wide"); } anchor.innerHTML = "Shared by " + params.user_name; anchor.href = "http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/" + params.user_name; bubble.style.display = "block"; var myAnim = new YAHOO.util.Anim(bubble, { opacity: { to: 1 } }, 2, YAHOO.util.Easing.easeOut); myAnim.animate(); } if (HuffPoUtil.getUrlVar("user_promo")) { YAHOO.util.Event.onDOMReady(function() { var parts = document.location.hash.split(","), shared_by = "", badge = "", i; if (parts.length < 2) return; for (i = 0; i < parts.length; i++) { if (parts[i].indexOf("sb=") !== -1) { shared_by = parts[i]; } if (parts[i].indexOf("b=") !== -1) { badge = parts[i]; } } if (shared_by == "" || badge == "") return; var bubble = $("user_promo_bubble"); if (!bubble) return; var entry_id = HuffPoUtil.GetEntryID(); if (!entry_id) return; var user_id = parseInt(shared_by.substr(shared_by.indexOf("sb=") + 3)); if (!user_id) return; var badge_type = badge.substr(badge.indexOf("b=") + 2); if (!badge_type) return; script = document.createElement("script"); script.setAttribute("type", "text/javascript"); bubble.appendChild(script); script.setAttribute("src", "/include/share_track.php?a=view&eid=" + entry_id + "&uid=" + user_id + "&b=" + badge_type + "&cb=handle_promo_username"); }); } Bart Stupak Abortion Claims Debunked: Health Bill Would NOT Force Federal Spending On Abortion

ABC News found that one of Rep. Bart Stupak's (D-Mich.) biggest contentions in his fight against health care reform legislation -- that federal money will go to "directly subsidize abortions" -- is not true in all cases.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has repeatedly asserted that there is "no federally funded abortion" in the bill.

According to ABC's Jonathan Karl: "Pelosi is right in that the bill makes it clear, there can be no federal money for abortion, except in cases of rape, incest, or to protect the life of the mother."

Stupak argued that "when you read the legislation, $1 per month for all enrollees must go into a fund for reproductive care which includes abortion coverage."

Karl's research of the wording of the bill finds this statement to be false. "That's actually wrong," Karl reports. "In fact, you only pay the $1 abortion fee if you choose a plan that covers abortion. To anti-abortion advocates like Stupak, the only acceptable solution is a complete ban on abortion coverage by any insurance policy that accepts any federal money at all."

Watch the report:

Know something we don't? E-mail us at [e-mail]

Comments

[Jzyehoshua]

I looked through the bill and find this article PARTLY true. Search the bill yourself for the word abortion (use the binoculars tool) to see for yourself.

http://dpc.senate.gov/dpcdoc-sen_health_care_bill.cfm

The main stuff appears to be in section 1303 and is filled with difficult to interpret wordy language. While the bill does provide for 2 separate kinds of plans, abortion providing ones and those which don't include abortion, and requires each exchange (state exchange?) to have at least 1 of each, I can't find evidence that public funds don't pay for both as Stupak said. If someone can show me where in the bill it states that, that would be great.

Also, I can't find any evidence of rape, incest, or life of the mother being mentioned. For one thing, the words rape and incest aren't even used in the bill, so I'm not sure what the article writer is talking about here.

[Libgirl746]

In another article on HuffPo on this same issue, Stupak says he's ''courageous'' in trying to derail HCR. His false claims about the abortion language in the legislation have been debunked repeatedly. Mr Stupak, hopefully you can summon some of that ''courage'' and give up YOUR government run health care. People, don't just accept what the political posturers, like one Bart Stupak are spouting. They want attention and free campaign publicity. When I read that he has given up his health care as a matter of principle, then I might listen. Until said thing happens, he can just sit down and shut up.

[Decorina]

Mr Stupak is just keeping america safe for the insurance companies. Anyone who thinks he cares in the slightest about abortion is kidding themselves. It is all about the corporatocracy and their needs and wants.

[dermguru]

Stupak (Sh$tcrack) = Bunning 2.0

[jdh45]

My guess is that Stupak(Stupid) has never had to decide whether or not he should have an abortion.
The right screams about government invading their privacy until it involves something they want to shove down other peoples throats. It's OK with thr right for the government to tell a woman what she should do about her own body but don't you dare try to give poeple affordable health care...Commies!

[dermguru]

FANNED

[Darsimaj]

Let's see, last time I checked abortion was legal in this country. I understand that many people think it's wrong and should be outlawed. Ok, then get the law changed. Until the law is changed that makes abortion illegal, taxpayers may be asked to have a portion of taxes applied to it. If we could pick and choose where our tax dollars went that would be one thing, but no one gets a say in where these tax dollars are spent.
I don't believe that churches should be tax exempt, but they are.
Just because you want a thing, does not mean you will get that thing nor should people be able to dictate where tax dollars are spent.

[dermguru]

fanned

[Weehawk]

Making abortions illegal or impossible to obtain just means that more people die. But I guess that's okay when those people are "women".

http://www.womensenews.org/story/the-world/041128/illegal-abortions-rampant-latin-america

[dbailey]

Finally! a mainstream news organization that is fact finding! Imagine that!!!!! I find it so insulting and degrading to women to have men make decisions about their health and bodies. They use women for their own pleasure and then have the nerve to try and dictate the results.

[clytemnestra slays]

sorry but abortion is killing an innocent life. I find that abortion is frequently used as birth control. I am a moderate Democrat.

[gloriousbeing]

And, I find that abortion is NOT frequently used as birth control. I am a moderate Democrat.

[Cheshiremoe]

Where do you draw the line, because conservatives don't even agree what is abortion and what isn't. Many think that using birth control pill or condoms is killing an innocent life. If that is true then abstinence is killing an innocent life, every month you fail to conceive.

Does life begin at conception? Does it begin at 8 cells? 1000 cells? When blood flows through the veins? When it can live out side of the mother?

What do the Scientist say is point a life begins?

[pdom694]

Source that assertion. Or did you pull it out of your nether region?

[claudiam]

I am so glad that there are journalists out there taking the time to "fact find." Hawaiisteve - thanks for your perspective. It is amazing to me that the gops do not want government interference in their lives unless it fits their agenda, like the freedom of choice! Yes, "if men could get pregnant, abortion would be a sacrament." claudiatucsonaz

[rgilley]

Stupack and company hope to effectively reverse Roe V Wade through negotiating health care.
Despicable people! He's a conservative republican in democratic disguise. And he's not the only one.

[dermguru]

look at Stupak and Bunning side-by-side....they're THE SAME SCAMMER!

[jsgaetano]

How can you tell when a conservative is lying?

Their lips start to move.

[farmilyman]

Cult members shouldn't be leading the country.

[GeneralDisarray]

Confounded facts.

[jsgaetano]

It's just not fair. Reality is SO in the tank for those libr00lz!

[fridakahlofan]

We wouldn't want women to have control of their bodies, their lives, their family size, the number of children they bring into this already overpopulated world would we?
You don't want any of your money going towards anyone's health care, do you?
Well, you obviously know not about what your taxes go to, they pay for our military's medical care,
seniors citizens, etc. So, unless you get paid in cash and don't pay taxes, you already pay for the health care of others.
I suspect you're a religious Republican, who doesn't know how our government works and how your taxes are put to work.
Health care for all! I'm going to opt for the $1 toward abortions, "In fact, you only pay the $1 abortion fee if you choose a plan that covers abortion.", even though I know it'll go to another woman's needs.

[jwredd]

So does this finally put an end to Stupak's disingenuous attempt to restrict reproductive rights or does he just find another baseless excuse for insisting on his amendment?

[KarmaTheDog]

Or will the media still try to portray him as a resolute, principled man.

[keepemhonest]

They are anti-rights! These folks are wanting a theocratic America with a dangerously blended church and state.

They are not for our rights, nor our laws nor our forefathers, nor our constitution, nor our nation.

They are seriously NO DIFFERENT than the T a l i b a n or the supreme ruler in "I R A N"

[rgilley]

They are also stealth conservatives. Michigan should recall Stupack immediately!! He knew the bill didn't have abortion clause, he lied blatantly for his religious beliefs which have NO PLACE in American Congress!

[rob2trade]

"In fact, you only pay the $1 abortion fee if you choose a plan that covers abortion'
Right. Stupak's contention is that NO plan subsidized by the government should cover abortion.If some plans cover and others dont, it STILL means the government is subsidizing abortion.Stuapk isnt stupid, and neither is the American public.
You want an abortion, fine, but its not being paid for by me.

[keepemhonest]

rob

I am against subsidizing Large Corporations with my taxes.... are you?

I am against my taxes paying for benefits for the 66% of the largest US Corporations who do NOT PAY ANY TAX ... are you?

I am against my taxes paying for benefits for the 75% of the largest Foreign owned Corporations operating in the USA who do NOT PAY ANY TAX ... are you?

I am against my taxes making up for Murd0ck's NewsCorp (Fox) loopholes that allow him & his Corporation to pay little to no US taxes ... are you?

I am against my taxes paying for Depends for those old Teabaggers who want to deny another person the same type of federal assistance for any LEGAL MEDICAL PROCEDURES ... are you?

[Weehawk]

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[MartyJo]

Hey D.ummy....If you choose a plan with an abortion coverage option it costs $1 and if you choose a plan without the abortion option, You DON'T pay a lcik. So while your happy with big companies getting the huge tax breaks and companies getting tax breaks for taking their companies overseas, the vast majority of the country are pizzed of and want their slice of the pie and not a splinter anymore. By the way, it will be GREED advocated by rethugs that will bring America down. Isn't bringing America to it's knees enough for you bible thumping hypocritical teabaggin/rethugs?

[Joan Jacobs]

Rob2trade and RobRob - are you sure you're not twins separated at birth (maybe by abortion)? I find it interesting that of all the comments I read on this only 2 GUYS named Rob are worried about their poketbooks - to the extent of not even listening to the facts. How do you feel about paying for Viagra,or is that a differenct can of worms all together?

[OBroadhurst]

Don't be disingenuous, Rob.

Not one cent of your tax dollars pays for the practice of abortion, and you know that.

Nor would any cent of your tax dollars pay for them if this health care bill passes.

You know that as well.

What Stupak wants is to prevent any insurance provider that might ordinarily provide abortion coverage from EVER receiving federal subsidies PERIOD for ANYTHING they might cover.

In other words, Stupak in essence wants to prohibit any private insurer from EVER providing abortion coverage period, no matter what.

It's a back door program to restrict abortion rights, plain and simple,

[jsgaetano]

And I don't want my money being used to fund illegal wars created by conservatives, or financial frauds created by conservatives.

So it seems we can't get what we want, because you Goopers are still stealing and killing.