Say What? Americans Don't Want to Fund Abortion

"I encourage other members of Congress to listen to the American people and the majority of House members who have made it very clear: We do not want taxpayer dollars financing abortion."

— Congressman Bart Stupak defends his controversial amendment to the healthcare reform bill in a New York Times op-ed this week. The "Stupack amendment" bans abortion coverage from the public insurance option and also forbids women to use federal subsidies to purchase a plan that covers abortion. In his op-ed, Stupack says the amendment simply reflects public opinion and the current policy to not use taxpayer funds to cover abortion, but many pro-choice advocates believe it will significantly decrease access to abortion. (And note: unlike the House, the Senate rejected an amendment yesterday that mirrored Stupak's proposed restrictions on abortion.)