New Abortion Funding Amendment in Health Bill a Sham and Should Be Rejected

WASHINGTON, Nov. 5 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Reports that Congressman Brad
Ellsworth (D-IN) is proposing a so-called abortion funding "compromise" in
order to draw pro-life Democrats to support the health care bill should not
mislead the American people, Family Research Council President Tony Perkins
said today.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080930/FRCLOGO)

Perkins, who spoke at today's "House Call" rally noted that the latest draft
of the "Affordable Health Care for America Act" would authorize federal
funding for elective abortion. Perkins made the following comments:

"We are very disappointed that someone who claims to support the protection of
unborn children would offer language designed to ensure the government pays
for elective abortions behind smoke and mirrors. However cleverly worded the
proposal might be, Rep. Ellsworth's plan would authorize a government run
public option to fund elective abortion and subsidize private plans that cover
elective abortion.

"The Ellsworth language creates a ruse by appearing to offer a restriction on
the use of 'federal funds' for abortion, while leaving in place the key legal
authority which says 'nothing in the Act' should be interpreted to 'prevent
the public health insurance option from providing for ....coverage of'
elective abortion.'

"This abortion funding sham is exacerbated by additional language that
requires the public option to hire contractors to ensure that money paid into
the government option will be used to pay for elective abortions. Medicare
contracts with private business to handle claims, but no one in their right
mind would say Medicare payments are 'private' payments. Ellsworth's language
is a hoax intended to mislead pro-lifers, and still requires that federal
funds pay for all elective abortions.

"Apparently, Rep. Ellsworth has been co-opted by his pro-abortion colleagues
who would rather see the health care bill fail if it doesn't fund abortion,
rather than see it pass without abortion funding. We strongly urge Members to
keep the status quo on abortion funding by supporting Congressman Bart
Stupak's (D-MI) amendment to keep abortion out of the health care legislation.
FRC Action will score against any vote for the Rule if Speaker Pelosi does not
allow an up-or-down vote on the Stupak amendment."

SOURCE Family Research Council

J.P. Duffy or Maria Donovan, +1-866-FRC-NEWS, both of FRC