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GOPer Collins Opposes House Dems
November 09, 2009 4:05 PM
ABC’s Z. Byron Wolf reports: Here’s a wrinkle in the abortion debate: Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, one of the few Republicans considered to be a strong supporter of abortion rights, said today she opposes the language inserted in the House health reform bill to ban coverage of abortions, except in certain cases, for women who would receive federal subsidies to buy their health insurance.
Collins said (off-camera) she prefers a “firewall” approach like the one incorporated into the Senate Finance Committee’s version of health reform. That bill stipulates that federal funds shouldn’t be used for abortion, but allows insurance coverage for abortions if companies to set aside a portion of private premiums to pay for the procedures. for abortion services and the Secretary of HHS is responsible for ensuring only private funds are used.
Ultimately, it doesn’t really matter what Collins thinks since she opposes the totality of Democrats health reform efforts. But for a Republican woman to think the Stupak language is unnecessary could provide some ammunition to the Democrats trying to insure the language does not end up in the final final version of health reform.
There was a time in the not so distant past when Democrats were hopeful that Maine Republican Susan Collins would buck her party, as she did with the stimulus, and vote for Democrats health reform plan.
Her Maine colleague and fellow Republican Olympia Snowe – who supported the Finance Committee version of health reform earlier this fall -- is one of two Republicans in either house of Congress to vote for a Democratic plan.
And Collins, like Snowe, has said she will work with moderate Democrats to try to improve whatever bill Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid unveils and sends to the Senate floor, probably later this month.
But Republican leaders in the Senate have recently turned to Collins to help lead opposition to Democrats efforts.
November 9, 2009 in Health Care | Permalink | Share | User Comments (9)
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Why is everyone so hung up on this abortion. Pay for it yourself you got pregnant having 5 minutes of fun.
Posted by: Lizzie | Nov 9, 2009 4:59:29 PM
All this opposition to abortion, is really all about religion, and doesn't belong in government.
Posted by: Rick McDaniel | Nov 9, 2009 5:16:55 PM
I HOPE A WOMAN DOESN'T GET RAPED AND NOT WANT TO HAVE A RAPIST BABY...IF SHE WASN'T MURDERED TO EVEN HAVE A CHOICE!!!! But I know they will work it out.
Posted by: sara | Nov 9, 2009 5:24:14 PM
There is nothing in the bill to prevent anyone from paying for their own abortion. If you cannot afford it, life is tough.
Posted by: james andrews | Nov 9, 2009 6:47:39 PM
As I am writing this post, babies are dying - right here in the United States.
Our infant mortality rate is a disgrace. It's twice as high as the infant mortality rate of Sweden or France. It's also higher than the infant mortality rates of Canada, Great Britian, and Cuba - whose health care systems conservative Republicans love to hate. Many women seek abortions because they cannot afford to pay the medical bills that come with pregnancy.
And a recent study by the CDC reveals that inadquate pre-natal and post-natal care is a major reason for infant deaths.
Susan Collins, the blue Dog Democrats, and the GOP always attack health care reform because of the cost. They are really putting a price tag on babies lives'. In other words it's OK for babies to die because we do not have enough money to provide the pre-natal care to save these babies'lives.
These politicians, who are all collecting bribes from the private health insurance industry, are killing babies, just as sure as if they gunned them down with AK-47's. The terrorists do not reside in the Middle East, they are on Capitol hill. Susan Collins, you have blood you your hands.
Posted by: William Joseph Miller | Nov 9, 2009 7:09:12 PM
Sex never was free. I just do not know why I should pay for some one Else's
Posted by: Thinking | Nov 9, 2009 7:13:28 PM
You know what's ironic? Facilities that perform abortions aren't regulated like hospitals and other clinics... Does this mean that health insurance companies would require facilities performing abortions to abide by the same regulations as other health care facilities? What a novel idea! Wonder if the cost of getting an abortion would go up, as a result? And I wonder how the insurance company would determine the "usual and customary" cost of an abortion... Since it's a life that's being eliminated, would it be priceless?
Posted by: Julia | Nov 9, 2009 7:21:03 PM
What the anti-abortion people need to do is pass legislation to make abortions illegal. However, today abortions are legal so this amendment is saying your insurance can't cover a legal medical procedure.
Now the GOP are the first to talk about freedoms and liberties, they should agree that abortion must first be made illegal then the rest will fix itself.
Posted by: Chuck | Nov 9, 2009 9:43:08 PM
so this amendment is saying your insurance can't cover a legal medical procedure.
****************************************
Hmm.... I wonder if it covers tummy tucks and face lifts, both legal
Posted by: Thinking | Nov 9, 2009 11:26:00 PM
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