Vatican Daily Reminds Obama that the U.S. is increasingly Pro-life

It looks like the L’Osservatore Romano (LOR) is finally catching on to Barack Obama's deceptive ways...

Via CNA:

L’Osservatore Romano (LOR) published an article last week reminding U.S. President Barack Obama that the number of Americans who oppose abortion continues to be on the rise. This was recently demonstrated by the nearly 200,000 signatures to the "Manhattan Declaration," a document drafted by various Christian leaders in defense of life, marriage, the family and religious freedom.

LOR said: "The political and spiritual weight of the Manhattan Declaration is thus evident" as "this is a crucial moment for the Obama administration since the president's credibility is at risk over promises made during the campaign season, considering the not-so-encouraging results of the latest polls on the president's popularity."

In recent days "the spotlight is on health care reform," which is currently being debated in the Senate, with a bill that is "quite different from the one approved only weeks ago by the House of Representatives." That bill prohibited the use of federal funds for abortion and established conscience protections through the Stupak amendment, which was lauded by the U.S. bishops.

LOR pointed out that the difference in between the two bills cannot be considered an accident. “In fact it was Obama himself, in a recent interview, who said that the Stupak Amendment introduced unbalanced language in the health care reform and that "women's choices" should not be restricted.

Thus, LOR argued, Obama is moving between two contrary positions: that of keeping his campaign promises "not to use federal funds for abortion and that the right to conscientious objection be respected," and that of "influential pro-choice groups who demand an ultimate liberalization of abortion practices."

After noting that the Manhattan Declaration clearly defends life and opposes abortion, LOR explained that "polls in recent months show that the number of those who are pro-life continues to rise and is now larger than the number of Americans” who think unrestricted abortions should be allowed during the course of pregnancy.

Read the rest of the story here.

Health Care Reform and Personhood (American Life League video)

On November 30, Katie Walker, American Life League Communications Director, appeared on MSNBC's "Morning Meeting" to discuss the deadly provisions listed in the current health care reform bills. As Katie mentions, pro-lifers are concerned about upholding the dignity of the human person. This isn't just about abortion -- there are many human life issues in these bills, which concern us: abortion, euthanasia, rationed health care, no conscience protections for health care issues.. Bottom line: The personhood of every human being from their biological beginnning  has to be the foundation of any discussion on human health care reform.

Democrat Bob Casey Will Work to Remove Abortion Funding From Senate Bill

Casey calls himself "pro-life", but he not only endorsed the most pro-abort president in history, but he campaigned for him and delivered a speech for him at the convention last year. So I'll believe this when I see it :)

As one of just two Democrats in the Senate who call themselves pro-life, Bob Casey of Pennsylvania is in a position to become the leader within his party on efforts to remove abortion funding from the health care bill. On Tuesday, Casey said he would do just that.

Casey confirmed he will work to try to remove the massive abortion funding in the bill that comes through the insurance plans offered in the proposed health insurance exchange via the public option and affordability credits.

The House bill includes an amendment by Rep. Bart Stupak that removed the abortion funding and Casey told Congressional Quarterly he will push for something similar, but would not say he would oppose the Senate health care bill if abortion funding remains.

Casey said there is "work to be done" on the issue of abortion funding, adding, There's an obvious difference on where the House came down and where the Senate is."

story here

Top Catholic Cardinal Says 'No Way' Catholic Members of Congress Can Support Senate Health Care Bill That Funds Abortion

A top Roman Catholic cardinal told CNSNews.com that there is “no way” Catholic members of Congress can support the Senate health care reform bill as long as it includes a provision that allows tax dollars to go to insurance plans that cover abortion.

At the National Press Club on Nov. 20, CNSNews.com asked Cardinal Justin Rigali, the archbishop of Philadelphia: “The Senate health care bill that Majority Leader Reid released this week permits tax dollars to go to insurance plans which cover abortion. And my question is: Would it be a mortal sin for a Catholic member of Congress to vote for this bill knowing that this provision is in it?”

story here

Video: Interview with Dr. Bernadine Healy on ObamaCare

Ed Morrissey at Hot Air interviews  Dr. Bernadine Healy, the Health Editor for US News and World Report, about the efforts by Democrats to reform the American health-care system.  Dr. Healy is uniquely positioned to offer analysis on this topic; she served on two Presidential task forces on science and health during the two Bush administrations, ran the National Institute of Health (the first woman to have held that position), and served as president of the Red Cross.  Dr. Healy is also a cancer survivor herself, giving her a well rounded view of the American delivery of health care and the critical need for patient choice.

Go here to watch the interview.

Health Care Support Drops to Below 40 Percent After Senate OKs Pro-Abortion Bill

cross-posted from A Catholic View

The level of support for a health care bill has plummeted to below 40 percent for the first time in a new Rasmussen poll. The numbers showing health care support at its lowest levels all year come after the Senate on Saturday approved a bill that contains massive abortion funding and other pro-life concerns.

Just 38% of voters now favor the health care plan proposed by President Obama and congressional Democrats, the Rasmussen survey indicates.

With 56 percent now opposing the pro-abortion plan, that is the lowest level of support measured for the plan in nearly two dozen tracking polls Rasmussen has conducted since June.

Half the survey was conducted before the Senate voted late Saturday to begin debate on its version of the legislation. Support for the plan was slightly lower in the half of the survey conducted after the Senate vote, the polling firm indicates.

story here

Health Care Bill Moves Toward Senate Debate

Sweeping health care legislation cleared its first hurdle Saturday in the Senate on a party-line vote, paving the way for debate on a massive health insurance overhaul.

The 60-39 vote opens the door for debate on the $848 billion legislation to start after Thanksgiving. The measure is designed to extend coverage over six years to an estimated 31 million Americans who lack it and crack down on insurance industry practices that deny benefits.

The White House released a statement saying, "The president is gratified that the Senate has acted to begin consideration of health insurance reform legislation. Tonight's historic vote brings us one step closer to ending insurance company abuses, reining in spiraling health care costs, providing stability and security to those with health insurance and extending quality health coverage to those who lack it. The president looks forward to a thorough and productive debate."

The rare Saturday session amounted to a first round in the fight to pass the bill in the full Senate, where Democratic holdouts announced they would support at least the measure to open debate on the bill, avoiding an early knockout by Republicans.

story here

Senate health vote set for Saturday night

ACTION NEEDED: Contact Your Senators!

This is insanity. None of them have even read, or plan to read, this 2,074 page bill that will put us trillions in debt. And they're ramming it through as quickly as possible.

Senate Democrats have cleared the way for a Saturday night vote to begin the healthcare debate, a Democratic aide said.


Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) has agreed to relent on his demand for Senate clerks to read aloud the 2,074-page bill and allow the chamber to take a critical test vote, said the aide. Reading the bill on the Senate floor was estimated to take as many as 30 hours or longer, raising the possibility of the Senate staying in session into next week.

The agreement to dispense with time-consuming procedural hurdles means that lawmakers will be able to catch flights back to their home states later in the evening on Saturday or early the next morning. This comes as welcome news for aides and other congressional workers who wrestled with the prospect of the Senate extending its session until Tuesday or Wednesday.



The Senate will vote at 8 pm Saturday to cut off debate on a motion to proceed to the healthcare reform bill. If 60 senators support the motion, the chamber would automatically adopt the motion to proceed to the bill and then depart. The Senate would begin amending the bill after the Thanksgiving recess.


You can contact your Senators easily through one of these websites, or through the capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121.

http://stoptheabortionmandate.com/

http://www.usccb.org/action

http://www.senate.gov/

story here

cross-posted from A Catholic View

Obama's Double Cross on Abortion: Why is everyone so surprised?

Catholic League president Bill Donohue comments on the latest developments regarding the health care bill:

On November 15, presidential advisor David Axelrod made it clear that President Obama opposes the Stupak amendment that bans abortion funding in the House’s version of the health care bill. The Senate has just completed its version, and it contains nothing like the language of the Stupak amendment. As reported today by AP, “On a controversial issue that threatened to derail the House legislation, [Senate Majority Leader] Reid would allow the new government insurance plan to cover abortions and would let companies that receive federal funds offer insurance plans that include abortion coverage.”

President Obama, after telling the public that he would not support a bill that provided federal funds for abortion (he was hailed by the bishops for doing so), is now championing a bill that would do just that. Moreover, he is pushing for legislation that the American people do not support: CNN posted survey results yesterday showing that 61 percent of the public is in favor of banning the use of federal funds to pay for abortion; only 37 percent favor it.

In other words, Obama has decided to renege on his promise, betray the bishops and defy the American people. Risky business given that today’s Rasmussen presidential tracking poll shows only 46 percent of voters approve of Obama’s performance. Worse, only 27 percent strongly approve and 41 percent strongly disapprove of the job he has been doing. Wait until the public learns about Obama’s double cross on abortion!

This doesn't surprise me one bit! Obama is a radical supporter of the culture of death and has been for as long as I can recall. He lied to the Pope, he lied to the Bishops, and he lied to the American people. I have been warning my readers about him for years. What surprises me is that anyone believed him in the first place.  After all, he is the "Abortion President".

A Foreshadowing of Healthcare Rationing

I was appalled when I heard this panel suggest that women wait until 50 to have a mammogram. It is well-known that mammograms are the best way for early detection of breast cancer. The good news is that Sebelius is quickly backtracking on this ridiculous advice. The bad news is that Obamacare would implement it as policy.

You've heard about those changing guidelines on breast cancer screening issued by a government advisory panel? Never mind, said Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius on Wednesday.

Amid an outcry from confused, angry women and physicians -- even the American Cancer Society objected to the changes -- Sebelius issued a statement Wednesday basically telling women to ignore what the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force had said. The USPSTF advises HHS, and its members are appointed by HHS.

“There is no question that the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Recommendations have caused a great deal of confusion and worry among women and their families across this country," Sebelius said on Wednesday. She said she wanted to address that confusion "head-on."

"The U.S. Preventive Task Force is an outside independent panel of doctors and scientists who make recommendations. They do not set federal policy and they don’t determine what services are covered by the federal government.

story here

cross-posted from A Catholic View

Details of Senate Health Care Bill Coming, First Vote to Debate Likely Saturday

Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- The details of the Senate version of the government-run health care bill are coming soon and the measure, which will likely include massive abortion funding as well as end-of-life and rationing concerns, was unveiled to Senate Democrats late this afternoon.

The presentation of the bill at the party caucus meeting follows a day of heavy-handed lobbying from pro-abortion Vice President Joe Biden and other Obama administration officials.

They joined Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid in meeting with three lawmakers whose votes are essential to getting the 60 needed to begin debate on the legislation.

Story here.

CNN Poll: 61% Oppose Tax-Funded Abortions, 63% Oppose All or Most Abortions

The libs and the pro-aborts try to convince you that everyone is pro-abort. Just another lie to defend killing babies. The problem is that they are also convincing some people that abortion isn't in Obamacare, when it is.

As Congress remains embroiled in a massive debate over whether to force Americans to pay for abortions through the new government-run health care programs, a new CNN poll finds 61 percent oppose government funding abortions with public dollars.

The poll found six in ten Americans favor a ban on using federal funds for abortions, such as the Stupak amendment recently added to the health care bill in the House.

The new CNN/Opinion Research Corporation survey released today shows 61 percent oppose taxpayer funding of abortions while just 37 percent are supportive.

The CNN poll goes further and finds that a majority of Americans, by a 51 to 45 percent margin, believe women should be required to use their own money to pay for abortions even if they have private health insurance and no government money is involved. They did not think health insurance should pay for abortions.

story here

Pro-life need-to-knows on health care in Senate

For 6 weeks, and behind closed doors, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Democrats have been crafting their own version of a socialized health-care bill.

With the House's passage of its bill, Reid is ready to pull the trigger, now only awaiting a cost estimate from the Congressional Budget Office on two new tax increases his side has proposed to help contain their behemoth.

The CBO report could come at any moment, perhaps before this column is published.

After getting the CBO report, Reid will file cloture (i.e., closure on debate) on a motion to proceed on a "shell," or empty health-care bill.

Right. There will still be no language to see. Reid will introduce a shell bill simply to get the parliamentary wheels in motion.

According to Senate rules, the cloture vote Reid wants can come no sooner than 30 hours after he has introduced his shell bill, as early as Friday. Sixty votes will be required.

This is the first and very important choke point to stop the Senate's health-care bill from proceeding....

Continue reading Jill's column today, "Pro-life need-to-knows on health care in Senate," at WorldNetDaily.com.

A Good Question Regarding Obamacare

Why would the government not support their constituency in the same manner they support themselves?

Stupak: If Obama Removes Abortion Funding Ban, Health Care Dies

It looks like Stupak is not ready to concede to the pro-aborts. He may or may not win, but he's putting up a good fight.

Congressman Bart Stupak, whose amendment to ban abortion funding from the House health care bill, has seen President Barack Obama's call and raised him. He says if Obama makes good on his threat to remove the ban in conference committee that he will effectively kill the health care bill.

Stupak is commenting on a claim by White House Senior Adviser David Axelrod that Obama would intervene to remove the abortion funding ban.

"They're not going to take it out. If they do, health care will not move forward," Stupak told Fox News today.

"We won fair and square. ... That's why Mr. Axelrod's not a legislator. He doesn't really know what he's talking about," Stupak added.

story here

cross-posted from A Catholic View

Report: Bill would reduce senior care

A plan to slash more than $500 billion from future Medicare spending -- one of the biggest sources of funding for President Obama's proposed overhaul of the nation's health-care system -- would sharply reduce benefits for some senior citizens and could jeopardize access to care for millions of others, according to a government evaluation released Saturday...

Read the rest here

Obama Will Remove Abortion Funding Ban From Health Care Bill, Advisor Says

Joe Wilson was right.
Despite Barry's promise (video below), it is becoming more apparent that he wants abortion included in Obamacare.

Top Obama advisor David Axelrod on Sunday confirmed what pro-life advocates already suspected would happen. He said President Barack Obama will work with congressional Democrats to remove the abortion funding ban the House approved in its version of the government-run health care bill.

Axelrod says that, because the Stupak amendment allegedly goes beyond the status quo under the Hyde amendment (which bans abortion funding under Medicaid), Obama will make sure the amendment is yanked during the conference committee.

That's the part of the legislative process that will occur if and when the Senate approves its own health care bill, which will likely start debate with abortion funding.

story here

cross-posted from A Catholic View

Senate Health Care Bill Will Likely Fund Abortions, Stupak Amdt Would be Killed

There is a lot of deception surrounding Obamacare. The pro-aborts are hell-bent on including abortion, but they are just as determined to try to convince pro-lifers that it is not included.

The Senate is gearing up this week for what will likely be its first battle on a government-run health care bill that is expected to fund abortions. As the first vote comes, analysis from one top pro-life lobbyist makes it clear a Stupak-type amendment has little chance once a vote to allow debate takes place.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid had been waiting to unveil his bill until the financial analysis came back and, when it was more expensive than he thought, Reid reworked the bill.

The measure is expected by pro-life groups to contain phony language that appears to ban abortions but won't. Reid officials have said the Nevada lawmaker is currently polling his caucus in a manner similar to Speaker Nancy Pelosi in an attempt to gauge what kind of abortion language to include.

story here

cross-posted from A Catholic View

Laura Ingraham, Raymond Arroyo discuss Judie Brown's statement on the USCCB's support for the current health care bill

Judie Brown: Statement Regarding Cardinal Rigali's Memo Protecting the Status Quo on Life

OBAMA BETRAYS THE BISHOPS

Catholic League president Bill Donohue comments on President Obama’s position on abortion restrictions in the health care bill:

On September 30, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops sent a letter to the U.S. Senate saying, “So far, the health reform bills considered in committee, including the new Senate Finance Committee bill, have not met President Obama’s challenge of barring use of federal dollars for abortion.”

We now know that President Obama—who is lobbying to excise the abortion restrictions that the bishops wanted—has betrayed the bishops. Here is how New York Times reporter Robert Pear put it today: “President Obama suggested Monday that he was not comfortable with abortion restrictions inserted into the House version of major health care legislation, and he prodded Congress to revise them.” Although Obama spoke out of both sides of his mouth in his ABC News interview, Pear’s statement is an accurate reflection of the president’s position.

The manly thing for the president to do would be to state the obvious: his love for abortion rights brooks (tolerates) no compromise. But he won’t do so, choosing instead to play the same old shell game he’s been playing all along. And he is not alone. For months, we have been told that the bill does not cover funds for abortion, yet if that were true, there would have been no need for the Stupak amendment, and no resistance to it.

This has been a great moment for the bishops, and for Catholics generally, but the fight is not over. It’s important that those on both sides know exactly who the players are on each team.

Former Pro-Abortion Leaders Threaten Democratic Party Revolt Over Stupak Amdt

This is pretty ironic. The House could only pass Obamacare because it had the Stupak amendment. But the Senate may only be able to pass it if the Stupak amendment is removed. Those pro-aborts are hell-bent on continuing to abort (kill) babies.


Two former leaders of major pro-abortion organizations write in an opinion column in the New York Times today that the Democratic Party could face an internal revolt from abortion advocates upset that Speaker Nancy Pelosi and party leaders in the House allowed a vote on the Stupak amendment.

As LifeNews.com reported, the House approved the government-run health care bill Saturday night but not before voting for the Stupak amendment to stop the massive abortion funding in it.

The vote has produced tremendous fallout among abortion advocates who have demanded a meeting with President Barack Obama to discuss where to go from here and a letter to Pelosi threatening to vote against the final bill if Stupak is not removed.

story here

cross-posted from A Catholic View

Pelosi Says Obamacare Will Be Our "Christmas Present"

Jill Stanek: What health-care 'status quo' means to pro-aborts

The numbers don't jibe.

Time magazine reported July 8:

Nearly 90% of insurers cover abortion procedures, according to a 2002 survey by the Guttmacher Institute....

While U.S. News & World Report reported July 23:

[A] Kaiser Family Foundation survey found that 46% of insured workers had coverage for abortions.

But Dept. of Health & Human Services secretary nominee Kathleen Sebelius testified before the Senate Finance Committee on April 9:

Most private plans do not cover abortion services except in limited instances....

And the New York Times reported Nov. 8:

A 2003 study by the Alan Guttmacher Institute found that 13% of abortions were billed directly to insurance companies.

What gives?

It is important to get to the bottom of those discrepant statistics, because pro-aborts are hinging their opposition to the Stupak/Pitts pro-life amendment in the House healthcare bill on one of them - which is false....

Continue reading her column at WorldNetDaily.com.

The Human Cost of Government Health Care

 This is the true story of Canadian Lin Gilbert, diagnosed with debilitating back pain, ignored for over 2 years, and then mercifully helped by a heroic doctor. If ObamaCare passes, could Lin's story be yours?



H/T: Instapundit

The Case of the Missing Moral Authority

By Judie Brown

These past few days of haggling and heckling over H.R. 3962, the Pelosi version of  Obama-style  “health care reform,” have left me with a rather sick feeling. What I have learned about the levers of power and how corrupting they can be, even to those in positions of moral leadership such as the Catholic bishops of this nation, is a sobering lesson indeed.

I first surmised that something was amiss when Justin Cardinal Rigali, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities, and Bishop William Murphy of Rockville Centre, New York, chairman of the Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, sent a letter on Saturday, November 7 to each member of the U.S. House of Representatives. 

The letter urged the representatives to vote in favor of the “Stupak-Ellsworth-Pitts-Kaptur-Dahlkemper-Lipinski-Smith Amendment,” commonly referred to as the Stupak Amendment. The USCCB asserted that this amendment would provide consistent protection for the rights of conscience and maintain the current law on abortion funding. It should be noted that, tragically, current law still allows taxpayer funding of abortion in cases of rape, incest and life of the mother.

The letter further states,

The Stupak-Ellsworth-Pitts-Kaptur-Dahlkemper-Lipinski-Smith Amendment will not affect coverage of abortion in non-subsidized health plans, and will not bar anyone from purchasing a supplemental abortion policy with their own funds. Thus far, H.R. 3962 does not meet President Obama’s commitment of barring use of federal dollars for abortion and maintaining current conscience laws.

In the days following the passage of the Stupak Amendment, which led directly to the passage of the Pelosi bill, it has been argued that the amendment’s passage is a victory for pro-life Americans. We are sorry to have to throw cold water on the celebration, but frankly, this is false, for the following reasons.

First, there is the undeniable fact that whatever the seriously deficient Stupak Amendment may or may not do, its language could fall out of any bill ultimately voted on in President Obama’s quest to pass a “health care reform” bill. Second, the Stupak Amendment only addresses abortion funding (and only partially at that).

The Pelosi bill (H.R. 3962) includes the following provisions:

• Expanded access to and funding of abortifacient contraception  (section 1714)

• Federal funding of Planned Parenthood-style permissive sex education programs “to prevent teen pregnancy” (section 2526), similar to that stipulated in the Senate version of Obamacare

• Deceptive definitions that, in fact, allow euthanasia through withholding or withdrawing “medical treatment or medical care” and withholding or withdrawing of  “nutrition or hydration” (section 240)

• Vaguely worded references to conscience rights and only partial protection of the same (sections 258 and 259)

• Language that forces a “participating health benefits plan” to not “discriminate” against any facilities that “provide, pay for, provide coverage of, or refer for abortions.” (section 304)

Of course, the first two provisions would result in massive new federal subsidies for organizations such as Planned Parenthood, which peddle contraceptives, abortion and sexual promiscuity, especially to our youth.

The bottom line is that the intent to restore full protection of the human person and his inalienable right to life does not appear to be high on the USCCB’s list of priorities. Instead, it appears content with maintaining the sordid, deadly status quo. This leads one to presume that the USCCB wants mandatory health care coverage for one and all more than it desires the protection of all vulnerable human beings’ right to life. 

Read the entire article here.

Obama Wants to Weaken Abortion Funding Ban in Health Care Reform Legislation

Once again, here is Obama speaking out of both sides of his mouth. In the video below, you'll hear him state that no federal funds will be used to pay for abortion. And now he hasn't even gotten Obamacare through the Senate, and he is already opposing restrictions on funding abortions.

In an interview on Monday, President Barack Obama refused to support an amendment in the health care bill that would ban taxpayer funding of abortions. Obama said he didn't want to change the "status quo" on abortion and added there is "more work to do" on the bill.

"I laid out a very simple principle, which is this is a health care bill, not an abortion bill," Obama told ABC News. "And we're not looking to change what is the principle that has been in place for a very long time, which is federal dollars are not used to subsidize abortions."

Obama appeared to side with abortion advocates who claim the Stupak amendment in the health care bill somehow changes the current status quo on government abortion funding -- which, under the Hyde amendment and other pro-life provisions is mostly banned.

“There needs to be some more work before we get to the point where we're not changing the status quo” on abortion, Obama added. “And that’s the goal.”



story here

Planned Parenthood says U.S. bishops have ‘hijacked’ health care reform

And my response? It's about time that our Bishops spoke up to support life and reinforce Catholic teachings. And by the way, their campaign was directed at Catholics, who are already obligated to be pro-life.

Planned Parenthood has condemned the addition of the Stupak/Pitts Amendment to the U.S. House’s proposed health care reform legislation, saying it would undermine private health plans that cover abortion. One pro-life leader said the criticism, which characterized pro-lifers as hijackers, was an ‘over the top’ attempt at self-promotion.

Cecile Richards, President of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, claimed in a Nov. 7 statement that the Stupak Amendment to Congress’ proposed health care bill has further reach than the Hyde Amendment, which bars federal funding for most abortions.

She also charged that the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and “anti-choice opponents” have been able to “hijack” health care reform in their “dedicated attempt” to ban all legal abortion. Richards characterized the USCCB as a hijacker twice in her 700-word statement.


story here

cross-posted from A Catholc View

Obama as Solomon

I must admit it is nice to hear the President of Planned Parenthood complain about the Bishops. That finally the Bishops are seen by them as the kids in Scooby Doo - "Those meddling Bishops." Plus the other voices angry at the Bishops for actually proclaiming the truth and defending the unborn.

Now I think the Stupak-Pitts Amendment is mostly political theatre since it can be done away with in reconciliation with the Senate bill or plenty of other political ploys. But still the vote was important and at every step of the way we must work to defend life, even if our efforts might be done away with at a later time. We can never stop doing what is right. Though the reaction is rather strange. Anger at the amendment of the bill that was not suppose to fund abortion in it any way. The normal two faces of politicians were once again asserting two things 1) This bill does not fund abortion 2) The Amendment goes to far in not allowing funding of abortion.

It is not surprising that the defenders of the Culture of Death are upset by any restriction on abortion in the health care plan. So of course the Democratic Party must bow to their masters and respond.

President Obama said today that Congress needs to change abortion-related language in the health care bill passed by the House of Representatives this weekend.

"I laid out a very simple principle, which is this is a health care bill, not an abortion bill," Obama said. "And we're not looking to change what is the principle that has been in place for a very long time, which is federal dollars are not used to subsidize abortions."

Saying the bill cannot change the status quo regarding the ban on federally funded abortions, the president said, "There are strong feelings on both sides" about an amendment passed Saturday and added to the legislation, "and what that tells me is that there needs to be some more work before we get to the point where we're not changing the status quo."... [reference]

What? Oh wait the translation says "I oppose the Stupak-Pitts amendment because it does exactly what I said I wanted." Yes the President that promised the Pope to reduce abortions and said "his" health care bill would not fund abortions is beholden to his masters at Planned Parenthood and NARAL to act.

Obama told... Tapper that he was confident that the final legislation will ensure that "neither side feels that it's being betrayed."

This is a step down for the President to go from messiah to Solomon. Sorry you can not both please God and Satan and you cannot please both sides of the abortion debate. Though there is a parallel with Solomon. Solomon said he would split the baby in two. In this debate there is one side that has no problem with splitting the baby in two or for that matter a hundred pieces. And there is a side who would protect the baby. Once again we know which side is telling the truth.

Jill Stanek: NOW DC rally protesting Stupak amendment fo shizzle fizzles

Twitter works both ways. It gets word out to the right people... and to the wrong people.

Such was the case this morning when I stumbled upon a tweet by National Organization for Women promoting a rally today in downtown DC to protest the House's passage of the Stupak/Pitts Amendment. The plan was to march around the Senate and House office buildings to scare senators. Click to enlarge..

Read the full story here.

Pro-Life Leaders React to Health Bill Outcome: Caution Outweighs Celebration

Amid praise for the pro-life Stupak amendment's momentous victory in the health care bill Saturday night, a two-pronged fear clearly emerged in the reaction of U.S. pro-life leaders: 1) the immense threats to pro-life values the health bill presents even without federal abortion funding, and, 2) the likelihood that the pro-life amendment itself will vanish in a later version of the bill.

Here is a collection of quotations from key pro-life leaders to give a taste of the pro-life reaction to the Saturday night drama on Capitol Hill:

- Family Research Council president Tony Perkins:  "This is a huge pro-life victory for women, their unborn children, and families. We applaud this House vote which prohibits the abortion industry from further profiting from taxpayers by using government funds to pay for the gruesome act of abortion. ... Unfortunately, H.R. 3962 is a seriously flawed piece of legislation. 


Read the entire story here.

Dems Banking on Later Squeezing Pro-Life Language Out of Bill in Committee

This is hardly surprising. Pro-aborts are very accustomed to using lies and deception to defend killing babies.

Pro-life leaders Saturday afternoon are hailing the House's decision to allow a voting opportunity on pro-life, Hyde-amendment language in the health bill as a major victory. However, with some sources suggesting that Democrat leadership is banking on later squeezing the pro-life amendment out of the bill in committee, some leaders are warning that the bill - with a whole bundle of dangers besides the federal abortion funding - is still too much of a threat.

The New York Times reported this morning that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi decided to allow a vote on the amendment with the hopes that her pro-abortion colleagues would be assuaged by the possibility of "changes in the weeks ahead," particularly changes wrought when the Senate and House versions of the bill are reconciled. In the early hours of the morning Saturday, the speaker unexpectedly gave permission for the full House to vote on Democrat Rep. Bart Stupak's amendment banning federal funding of abortion in the health bill.

story here

cross-posted from A Catholic View

Like Thieves in the Night....

In her effort to ram government-run healthcare through the House before anyone has a chance to know what's in it, CINO Pelosi and the Dems narrowly passed ObamaCare in a stealth Saturday night vote.


The health care bill in Congress received its first favorable vote in a chamber of Congress on virtually a very narrow vote Saturday night. Passage of the legislation came after lawmakers voted for the Stupak amendment to remove abortion funding from the legislation. (the silver lining in this cloud).

The House voted 220 to 215 with 39 Democrats joining 176 republicans to oppose it and 219 Democrats and one Republican in favor.

Although the Stupak amendment removes the abortion funding under the public option and affordability credits, not all of the pro-life concerns are resolved with the bill.

The measure appears to contain strong conscience protection regarding abortion for medical professionals; however, "Section 304(d) protects abortion practitioners from “discrimination” by pro-life insurance plans who want to participate in the exchange, but do not want to contract with abortionists," says Americans United for Life.

story here

cross-posted from A Catholic View

Major Prolife Victory: Stupak Amendment Passes

By a solid 240-194 margin, The U.S. House of Representatives on Saturday adopted an extremely important pro-life amendment that will essentially prohibit federal funding of abortion in the health care reform legislation. Folks, this is a huge deal.

This war for the pro-life community is not over. A Senate battle is ahead and so is a potential battle to strip this language out of any eventual House/Senate conference committee but nevertheless what happened on Saturday in the House will go down as a HUGE victory for pro-life Americans.

More here. 

FINAL VOTE RESULTS FOR ROLL CALL 884

House OKs Vote on Stupak Amendment to Cut Abortion Funding From Health Care

Whether or not the amendment passes, it is a big victory for pro-lifers that CINO Pelosi was forced to allow the vote.

In a surprise move after hours of tumultuous negotiations, the House Rules Committee, very early Saturday morning, approved rules for debate on the pro-abortion health care bill. Although it appeared Speaker Nancy Pelosi would deny one, it allows a vote on an amendment to remove abortion funding.

Pelosi's hand appeared to have been forced when pro-abortion House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer announced earlier in the day that she did not have enough votes to pass the bill because of objections from pro-life Democrats.

The committee okayed a Rule that allows the House to vote on the Stupak amendment, offered by pro-life Rep. Bart Stupak, a Michigan Democrat, to the health care reform legislation.

Stupak had dozens of Democrats who threatened to vote against the Rule and the bill if he did not get a vote on his amendment. If the amendment is defeated, Stupak and pro-life Democrats will likely still oppose the bill because of the abortion funding.

story here

cross-posted from A Catholic View

Pelosi reneges on her promise to the American people

Pro-Life Groups Run New Ad on CNN Exposing Abortion Funding in Health Care Bill

In an effort to build more opposition to the pro-abortion health care bill before the expected votes today and tomorrow, a collection of pro-life groups are running a new television commercial on CNN that will appear throughout the day Friday and Saturday on its Headline News station.

The ad is sponsored by members of the Stop the Abortion Mandate Coalition, of which LifeNews.com is a member.

The ad is the brain child of Americans United for Life and the Susan B. Anthony List, two pro-life groups that have been working overtime to stop HR 3962 because of the massive abortion funding the bill contains.

story here

cross-posted from A Catholic View

Nancy Pelosi and the Claims of Catholic Conscience

Nancy Pelosi and the Claims of Catholic Conscience by George Weigel: Denver Catholic Register, November 4, 2009

20,000 - 45,000 Taxpayers Descend on Washington D.C. to Protest Obamacare

Bill O'Reilly of FOX News reports on today's large March On Washington to protest the proposed ObamaCare health care reform legislation.




Congress members Michele Bachmann [R-MN] and Steve King [R-IA] join FOX News host Sean Hannity to discuss today's massive March On Washington to protest the unpopular Obamacare health care reform proposal. 




John Voight boldly speaks the truth at today's protest:



Related Information:


'Kill the bill' protesters target health care


 Jon Voight: Obama's Policies Spark Unrest

ACT NOW TO STOP OBAMA HEALTH CARE REFORM LEGISLATION

Pro-abortion Democratic Speaker Nancy Pelosi (Ca.) is planning to try to ram the massive health care bill (H.R. 3962, previously H.R. 3200) through the U.S. House of Representatives this week. The most critical roll call will occur on a procedural vote — called “the Rule” — that is expected to occur late on Friday, November 6, or Saturday, November 7.   

 Click here to use an easy tool to email your representatives to tell them you want them to vote NO on HR 3692.


For those who might be a bit confused about what to ask your representative to do, here it is in layman's terms:

Vote NO on Pelosi's "closed rule" or else the Stupak amendment can never be voted on. If the Stupak amendment is voted on then it is likely that it will pass.

Vote NO on the closed rule.
Vote YES on the Stupak amendment.

Learn more at http://stoptheabortionmandate.com

Statement on USCCB Directive Against Obamacare

American Life League’s Judie Brown, a member of the Pontifical Academy for Life, issued the following statement on the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ national campaign mobilizing every parish to oppose abortion in health care reform and demand conscience protections for health care workers.

“We applaud the USCCB’s unprecedented action in its national campaign to mobilize parishes against the current versions of the health care bill. It has taken an important first step in activating Catholics to take back our health care system and our country from the radical pro-aborts in the legislature and sometimes even in the pulpits.

"We proudly stand with the USCCB in its statement: 'Health care reform should be about saving lives, not destroying them.'

"But we remind the USCCB that Catholics cannot stop at opposing abortion and demanding conscience protection. Where is the USCCB on the health care reform bills’ potential to fund Planned Parenthood, to use our tax dollars to indoctrinate children with sex education in schools, to fund euthanasia, in vitro fertilization, human embryonic stem cell research, contraception and health care rationing?

"All of these things are present in all of the current versions of the health care bill. None of these are acceptable according to Catholic teaching. All Catholics are duty bound to reject 'health care reform' if it contains any of the above grievous offenses against human life and personhood.

"Catholics need to know why, at every level, these proposals are fraught with death and destruction of the soul.

"Finally, Catholics need to know that the USCCB, acting of itself, carries no authority to instruct the bishops on the governance of their flocks. It is imperative that each and every bishop make a public statement condemning these health care proposals until they exclude any provisions for:

- abortion
- human embryonic stem cell research
- contraceptives
- rationed care
- in vitro fertilization
- euthanasia
- sex education in schools

"The God-given personhood of all human beings will be recognized in the United States the moment the united, individual U.S. Catholic bishops boldly proclaim and fight for the unchanging doctrines of the Faith."

Pelosi’s Government-Run Health Plan Will Require a Monthly Abortion Premium

It certainly doesn't look like the "pro-life" Democrats will be able to prevent CINO Pelosi from including abortion in government-run healthcare. All the more reason to contact our Senators and representatives to oppose it. The Capitol Switchboard number is (202) 224-3121.

Health care reform should not be used as an opportunity to use federal funds to pay for elective abortions. Health reform should be an opportunity to protect human life - not end it.

Unfortunately, Speaker Pelosi’s 2,032-page government takeover of health care does just that. On line 17, p. 110, section 222 under “Abortions for which Public Funding is Allowed” the Health and Human Services Secretary is given the authority to determine when abortion is allowed under the government-run plan. The Speaker’s plan also requires that at least one insurance plan offered in the Exchange covers abortions.

What is even more alarming is that a monthly abortion premium will be charged of all enrollees in the government-run plan. It’s right there on line 16, page 96, section 213, under “Insurance Rating Rules.” The premium will be paid into a U.S. Treasury account - and these federal funds will be used to pay for the abortion services.

Section 213 describes the process in which the Health Benefits Commissioner is to assess the monthly premiums that will be used to pay for elective abortions under the government-run plan. The Commissioner must charge at a minimum $1 per enrollee per month.

House Will Vote on Pro-Abortion Health Care Reform Bill on Saturday Evening



story here


cross-posted from A Catholic View

House Democrats' Phony Amendment Claims to Remove Abortion From Health Care

Not surprising that pro-aborts have to lie about this. How else could you defend abortion?

House Democrats are working on yet another phony amendment that they claim will remove government funding of abortions from the health care reform bill. However, it appears the Ellsworth amendment does nothing to remove the massive new abortion-funding program in H.R. 3962.

The new bill that Speaker Nancy Pelosi unveiled last week and that the House is expected to vote on later this week funds abortions with taxpayer dollars in two ways.

First, it sets up the public option -- a government-run health care plan that will pay for abortions -- and it funds abortions by giving members of the public affordability credits that can be used to pay for abortions.

story here


cross-posted from A Catholic View

Denver bishop: Catholics must demand delivery from Obama on health care promises

cross-posted from A Catholic View

Bishop Conley is 100% correct. It is certainly not unreasonable to expect the president to keep his promise.

Stressing that “there is very little time to act,” Bishop James Conley, the Auxiliary Bishop of Denver, told CNA in an exclusive interview on Monday that now is the time for President Obama to prove his critics wrong and show them that he really meant it when he said abortions would not be funded in the health care reform bill.

Bishop Conley added, “If we don't demand honesty from our public officials and responsiveness to the serious concerns of the Catholic community, nobody will do it for us -- and we, our beliefs and our institutions will be the losers.” The full interview between CNA and Bishop Conley follows.

Full interview here

And while we're hearing from Denver bishops...

Archbishop Chaput: Catholics must ‘vigorously oppose and help defeat’ health legislation unless wording changed



And here is the promise:





From the catechism:

2272 Formal cooperation in an abortion constitutes a grave offense. The Church attaches the canonical penalty of excommunication to this crime against human life. "A person who procures a completed abortion incurs excommunication latae sententiae," "by the very commission of the offense," and subject to the conditions provided by Canon Law. The Church does not thereby intend to restrict the scope of mercy. Rather, she makes clear the gravity of the crime committed, the irreparable harm done to the innocent who is put to death, as well as to the parents and the whole of society.

Rep. Pence on why Americans ought to oppose PelosiCare

 This is a powerful video, which speaks the language of American principles and our Founding Fathers:



Congressman Mike Pence released the following video, urging all Americans to rise up and let their voices be heard in regard to the Pelosi health care plan.

Let your voice be heard by going to the APIA action item at the American Principles Project Blog.


H/T: American Papist

Opposition to Pro-Abortion Health Care Bill Jumps After New Pelosi Bill Introduced

Now that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has introduced the latest version of the government-run health care reform bill that funds abortions, the latest polling data shows opposition increasing. A Rasmussen Reports survey shows opposition up from 6 to percent since before the Pelosi bill.

Rasmussen had opposition to the pro-abortion health care bill pegged at 51-45 percent during the latter part of October.

Following the unveiling of the Pelosi bill, HR 3962, late last week, the number now stands at 54 percent opposed and 42 percent who favor the legislation.

Only 23% of all voters Strongly Support the plan while nearly twice as many, 44 percent, remain strongly opposed.

story here

cross-posted from A Catholic View

ACTION ALERT: SIGN UP NOW FOR EMERGENCY WEBCAST ON HEALTH CARE & ABORTION

I have just learned of a nationwide webcast this evening, Monday, November 2 being put on by Stop the Abortion Mandate. This webcast will contain extremely crucial and time critical information regarding abortion and the healthcare legislation. I strongly encourage all of you to participate in this webcast:

Your attendance is crucial:

http://www.StopTheAbortionMandate.com/webcast
Seventy plus pro-life and pro-family organizations that make up the Stop the Abortion Mandate Coalition invite you to attend this urgent educational event.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Stop the Abortion Mandate Urgent Web Cast
DATE: TONIGHT, Monday, November 2
TIME: 9 PM Eastern, 8 PM Central, 7 PM Mountain, 6 PM Pacific
Register now at: http://www.StopTheAbortionMandate.com/webcast

During the live webcast, you'll hear the latest breaking news from many nationally respected leaders.
Invited presenters include:

* DOUGLAS JOHNSON, National Right to Life Committee
* REP. CHRIS SMITH, U.S. House of Representatives
* MARJORIE DANNENFELSER, Susan B. Anthony List
* CHARMAINE YOEST, Americans United for Life
* KELLYANNE CONWAY, The Polling Company
* KRISTEN DAY, Democrats for Life
* DR. DAVID STEVENS, Christian Medical & Dental Associations

During the event, you will:
* Hear the LATEST UPDATES and news straight from our nation's capital
* Learn exactly how abortion IS mandated in the proposed health care reform bills
* Discover what YOU can do about it!

During the webcast, you will get the latest information straight from our nation’s capital…

Learn exactly how abortion IS mandated in the proposed health care reform bills…

…And discover what YOU can do about it!

http://stoptheabortionmandate.com/webcast/

Related post:Emergency Webcast Tonight to Combat Imminent Passage of Abortion-Funding Healthcare

House Health Care Bill Has Death Panels, Tax-Funded Assisted Suicide Promotion

The new House health care reform bill unveiled last week by Speaker Nancy Pelosi contains more than the controversial "death panels" panned in the previous legislation. The new bill, H.R. 3962, contains direct taxpayer-funded promotion of assisted suicide in the states where it is currently legal.

HR 3962 contains two clear end-of-life provisions -- including one that requires insurance companies to distribute advance directives and other planning tools to all who are insured on the new government-run exchange.

The other allows Medicare reimbursement for optional end-of-life planning consultation.

Both provisions appear to exclude assisted suicide from the consultations and advance directives, but those exclusions have no meaning in the Washington and Oregon (and possibly soon in Montana) where assisted suicides are legal.

There, state law says that "death with dignity," the legal terms in those states for assisted suicide, does not actually constitute assisted suicide.

In both states, state law says actions under the assisted suicide statute "shall not, for any purpose, constitute suicide, assisted suicide, mercy killing or homicide, under the law."

story here