Rep. Stupak Responds to NARAL Pro-Choice America's Ad

The pro-lifers are at it again. They are saying the Nelson Amendment is a ban on abortion and their allies in the insurance industry are helping them.

Check out this story from some DC news outlet called Inside Health Policy:

As abortion debate heads to Senate floor
Insurance Source Says Nelson-Hatch Amendment De Facto Ban On Medical Procedure

A key insurance industry source says the abortion amendment sponsored by Sens. Ben Nelson (D-NE) and Orrin Hatch (R-UT) expected to be debated in the Senate Tuesday would act as a de facto ban on the medical procedure. Insurers would essentially stop offering coverage if the language were accepted, the source says.

Currently, many employer-sponsored plans offer abortion coverage as part of their overall package, but if an employer moves into the exchange that would no longer be possible if the amendment passes, the source adds.

The Nelson-Hatch amendment essentially mirrors the Stupak language passed by the House and would bar federal funding of abortion unless it is due to rape, incest or the life of the mother per the long-standing Hyde amendment. The policy would apply to any public plan offered in the exchange as well as private plans receiving subsidies.

The bill would allow individuals to purchase with their private dollars supplemental plans that would cover abortion. But the industry source that while certain states sell so-called “rider” policies that cover abortion, which would be allowed under the Nelson-Hatch amendment, “nobody buys them.”

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops applauded the amendment, saying it “simply corrects [the Senate health reform bill's] grave departures from current federal policy.”

The bishops complain the Senate reform bill “allows the HHS Secretary to mandate abortion coverage throughout the government-run 'community health insurance option.'”)Plus, the say the reform bill “provides funding for other plans that cover unlimited abortions, and creates an unprecedented mandatory 'abortion surcharge' in such plans that will require pro-life purchasers to pay directly and explicitly for other people’s abortions. The bill does not maintain essential nondiscrimination protections for providers who decline involvement in abortion.”

Other religious interests expressed a different opinion. “We know that the U.S. bishops aim to restrict healthcare for women by refusing access to abortion, in vitro fertilization, contraception and embryonic stem cell research and continuing to disrespect advance medical directives,” Jon O' Brien of Catholics for Choice said in a statement. “They do not represent the views of the vast majority of Catholics. In fact, the majority of Catholics do not want their bishops to be involved in this political issue at all.

Meanwhile, both the National Right to Life Campaign and Planned Parenthood announced their intentions to “score” tomorrow's vote. For Planned Parenthood, “a no vote on the Nelson-Hatch amendment will be considered a vote in support of women’s health,” the pro-life group wrote in an e-mail blast to senators today.

For NRLC, a yes vote “can only be construed as a position-defining vote in favor of establishing a federal government program that will directly fund abortion on demand, and a second federal program that will provide government subsidies to private insurance plans that cover abortion on demand,” according to the group.

Nelson, a key centrist Democrat, has repeatedly stated that he would not vote for cloture on reform legislation that does not bar abortion coverage per his language. However, Washington insiders believe it is highly unlikely the Nelson-Hatch bill could garner the 60 votes needed to pass.

In addition to Nelson and Hatch, the measure is cosponsored by Sens. Robert Casey (D-PA), Sam Brownback (R-KS), John Thune (R-SD), Mike Enzi (R-WY) Tom Coburn (R-OK), Mike Johanns (R-NE), David Vitter (R-LA), and John Barrasso (R-WY).

Nelson has said that would be open to compromise language on the issue that would achieve his goal. --