Surprise: Planned Parenthood Opposes Senate Version of Stupak Amendment

Even before the language of the Senate version of the Stupak Amendment to prevent government funding of abortion in health care was made public, Planned Parenthood’s president Cecile Richards began condemning it.

Democrat Senator Ben Nelson announced yesterday that he was drafting an amendment that would mirror the House-passed Stupak Amendment that insures that government funding of abortion is not included in health care reform legislation. He will be joined by Republican Senator Orrin Hatch in introducing the amendment.

In response, Richards resorted to blatant fabrications as she set about to light a fire under her pro-abortion troops. Richards told them, “…it is entirely possible that the resulting health care reform legislation will eliminate access to private health insurance coverage of abortion for millions of women.”

Of course, this statement is completely false!

The Nelson/Hatch Amendment would make sure there is no government funding for abortion. If a woman wanted to purchase coverage for abortion with her own money, she would be able to.

But since most Americans, even “pro-choice” Americans, oppose government funding of abortion, Richards could not simply argue the amendment on its merits. Instead, she felt compelled to make it sound like women would never again be able to have abortion coverage if the Nelson Amendment passed! Even National Public Radio and various factcheck web sites know such claims are not true and have said so publicly.

Keep your eye on the U.S. Senate this week as Sen. Ben Nelson seeks to protect us all from having our government dollars used to pay for abortions.

Sue Armacost