Today's Hot Topic (3/20): Taxpayer funded abortion - okay or not?

[Cafe GroupAdmin]

Abortion again an issue in health care debate

Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Michigan, wants his language restricting taxpayer funding for abortion in the bill.

 

Washington (CNN) -- The divisive issue of abortion is once again causing problems for House Democrats as they plan to move forward with the health care bill.

Anti-abortion Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Michigan, is asking for a vote on his language restricting taxpayer funding for abortion, and a group of female abortion-rights Democrats came out of an emergency meeting in House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's office Friday evening visibly angry about the request.

Rep. Diana Degette, D-Colorado, told reporters a vote on Stupak's measure was a "nonstarter," saying, "somewhere between 40 and 55" abortion-rights Democrats would bolt from the bill.

"We are holding firm this time," she said. "If Mr. Stupak and a few members along with the Republicans decide to use this to take health care down, that loss of health care will be in their hands."

It wasn't clear whether Democratic leaders were seriously considering allowing a vote on Stupak's abortion language, or in what form.

But Stupak said he is in talks with Pelosi, D-California.

"We had a good discussion with the speaker on the floor," said Stupak. "But there was no agreement and there's no agreement until we see it in writing and we get a chance to massage it."

The House is expected to vote on the health care bill on Sunday.

One possibility appears to be allowing a separate vote on Stupak's abortion measure, which would go to the Senate independent of the health care bill. If it's an amendment to the Senate bill, and it passes, that could throw the whole complicated but carefully choreographed process of passing health care into flux. It would mean sending the health care bill back to the Senate instead of to the White House for the president's signature.

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Should the health care bill be passed?

Should taxpayer funded abortion be covered?

What are your thoughts?  If you were voting on this bill, would you vote yes or no?

[steph2884]

My tax dollars can go to birth control... not abortion! My money will not be used for blood. You want to get an abortion, you come up with the money for it somehow. You want to get an abortion, that's your business, but you won't do it with my money! I'm assuming I'm not the only American that would have a problem with their money being used to give women an abortion. This topic gets my panties in a twist!

[USMCBride08]

 I'm all for it covering abortion.

[LuvNMyBbs]

This is gonna get so much shit but I am pro-choice and even though it is a shitty way to look at it an abortion is cheaper than a child that is supported by welfare.  I would support federally funding abortions.

[Sweet_Faith]

No Way! I don't want my tax dollars going to abortion! Since all the pro-choicers say, my body, my choice, well let them pay for it with "their" dollars.

[DeeCee192]

Yes, abortion is a medical procedure that saves womens' lives. I suggest that safe, affordable, available contraception would keep abortion just a medical procedure.

I think people forget that along with the right to have children--also comes the right NOT to have children.

[home-sweet-home]

 

Quoting DeeCee192:

Yes, abortion is a medical procedure that saves womens' lives. I suggest that safe, affordable, available contraception would keep abortion just a medical procedure.

I think people forget that along with the right to have children--also comes the right NOT to have children.

They have that right, but I should have the right to not pay for THEIR CHOICES. Especially if I feel it is killing a child.

I wanted to add a question. Do you think they should pay for IVF. If women have a right to have children, then do they have the right to make the tax payers pay for IVF treatment?

[anxiousschk]

I think it should be viewed as a bottom-line type of situation.

We are in debt to our eyeballs. 

A woman should have the option for an abortion, regardless if someone doesn't agree with it on ethical grounds.  Separation of church and state, correct? 

One abortion (or multiple..whichever) is still tens of thousands of dollars cheaper than that woman being forced to give birth and then taxpayer dollars going to raise that child. 

It should be her choice to do as she wishes. 

Bottom line. 

[GoodMomma24-7]

 

Should the health care bill be passed? No.

Should taxpayer funded abortion be covered? That would be a big, fat No.

What are your thoughts?  If you were voting on this bill, would you vote yes or no?   I would vote no.  And I won't support a government, in any way, that passes this.  A woman's already got the right to do whatever she wants with her unborn baby.  But I'm not paying for it.

[anxiousschk]

BTW....over 50% of those polled on CNN thought that the bill should be either scrapped completely or just not passed.

I am one of those 50%

[katy_kay]

 Here is how I feel about it, if you are using abortion to terminate an unwanted pregnancy you pay for it yourself.  If the abortion is medically necessary due to health risks to the mother or severe disability in the fetus then it should be covered under medical coverage and that includes the health bill.