November 21, 2009 2:02 pm ET
In the least surprising development of the Senate health care reform debate, some Republican senators are basing their opposition on the issue of abortion. No matter how many times they say otherwise, the Senate bill ensures a separation between federal funds and abortion coverage and protects the consciences of those Americans who are morally or religiously opposed to the issue.
Jodi Jacobson, Senior Political Editor of Reproductive Health Reality Check, put together a succinct breakdown of the top ten points in the abortion language in the Senate health care bill. Here are some of the highlights:
Voluntary Choice of Coverage of Abortion Services:
Abortion cannot be a mandated benefit as part of a minimum benefits package. A qualified health plan would determine whether it will cover: a) no abortions only those abortions allowed under Hyde (rape, incest and life endangerment) or b) abortions beyond those allowed by Hyde.
No Federal Funds for Abortion Coverage in the Community Health Insurance Option:
If the Secretary chooses to cover abortion services in the public plan beyond those allowed by Hyde, he/she must:
- Guarantee compliance with the provision prohibiting the use of Federal funds to pay for abortions (beyond those allowed by Hyde);
- Guarantee that, according to three different accounting standards, no Federal funds will be used; and
- Take all necessary steps to ensure that the United States does not bear the insurance risk for abortions that do not meet the Hyde exceptions in the public plan.
Strict Prohibition on the Use of Federal Funds to Pay for Abortion Services
No tax credit or cost-sharing credits may be used to pay for abortions beyond those permitted by the Hyde Amendment (only cases of rape, incest and life endangerment).
Segregation of Funds
Issuers of health insurance plans that offer coverage for abortion beyond those permitted by the Hyde amendment must segregate from any premium and cost-sharing credits an amount of each enrollee's private premium dollars that is determined by the Secretary to be sufficient to cover the provision of those services.
Provider Conscience Protections
No individual health care provider or health care facility may be discriminated against because of a willingness or an unwillingness, if doing so is contrary to the religious or moral beliefs of the provider or facility, to provide, pay for, provide coverage of, or refer for abortions.
For more from Reproductive Health Reality Check, click here.
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