Flag burning is constitutionally protected (as it should be), but why should we pay for or subsidize the purchase of matches and flags?
I'm for "Medicare-for-all". Medicare doesn't pay for or subsidize abortions. If "Medicare-for-all" was up for a vote, are you telling me that Sen. Boxer and you would filibuster, unless it covered abortion? That implies that government encouraged abortion is a higher priority than health care reform.
It seems to me that what passes for the Left doesn't even know what it means to really be progressive anymore. This wing of the Democratic Party ought consider what would happen if started its own party based upon that prioritization. You’d be less popular than Libertarians.
Nothing in Stupak prevents women from getting an abortion or buying insurance separate, distinct and outside the government exchange to cover that procedure, which on average costs under $500. Nor does it prevent States from setting up their own subsidies as some do with Medicaid.
Does legal tatoo removal need to be covered? How about a host of other legal elective procedures. Pregnancy is not a disease. Elective abortions are not health care. Our President has acknowledged that abortion is a serious moral issue. He told a joint session of Congress that health care reform would not subsidize abortion.
Stupak takes away a Republican straw man argument which they will use to cover their true obstructionism, it prevents the President from seeming disingenuous, and it respects the overwhelming majority of Americans both pro-choice and pro-life who don’t want government to subsidize abortions even though the Supreme Court has upheld a right to abortion under certain circumstances.
Is this a Senator Boxer bluff (why didn’t the House Democrats vote down bill after Stupak was added?) or is it a mindless prioritization of abortion on demand over real social justice?
May the late Msgr. Geno Baroni, one of your mentors, pray that you remember what social justice is and that you organize your priorities appropriately.
May the late Senator Ted Kennedy, whose cause of life was health care reform not abortion on demand, also pray for you.
What is more important to you? "A new hope that we move toward breaking the old gridlock and guarantee that every American -- north, south, east, west, young, old -- will have decent, quality healthcare as a fundamental right and not a privilege" or "government subsidized elective abortion on demand"?
Both your roots and your wings should tell you that the former (health care reform) is more important that the later (government subsidies direct or indirect for an elective procedure).
Very truly yours
John David Kromkowski
John David Kromkowski is attorney in Baltimore, MD. In 1984-5, he worked as staff for the Political Division of the Democratic National Committee and for the Democratic Council on Ethnic Americans to which the Congresswomen Mikulski belonged and which was co-chaired by Congresswomen Marcy Kaptur. (D-OH). Rep. Kaptur was a co-sponsor of the Stupak Amendment. He has also been the attorney for the National Center for Urban Ethnic Affairs, which was founded by the late Msrg. Geno Baroni, whose proteges include Kaptur, the longest serving woman in the House, and Milkuski, the most senior female Senator.
Senator Mikulski Responds
Wed, Dec 16, 2009 at 3:55 PM
Dear Mr. Kromkowski:
Thank you for getting in touch with me about abortion and health care reform. It's great to hear from you.
Health care is one of the most important issues facing families and our economy. We need to:
-reduce health care costs for families, business and government
-protect people's choice of doctors, hospitals and health plans
-assure affordable, quality health care for all Americans
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (H.R. 3590) represents the combined efforts of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) and the Senate Committee on Finance. This bill takes a giant step forward in providing health care that is available, undeniable and affordable for all Americans.
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) follows settled law on abortion and prohibits federal funds from being used to fund abortions. In addition, no health care plan can be required to cover abortion.
I also support the rights of health professional to choose whether to perform abortions. That's why I support the strong conscience clause in the bill which protects individuals and hospitals from having to perform abortions if it goes against their religious, ethical, or moral beliefs.
I believe the most pro-life thing we can do is pass health reform which will improve the health of all Americans by providing universal access to health care.
I appreciate knowing of your opposition to abortion services being included in health care reform. I have given the abortion issue very serious consideration. As someone who represents such a diverse constituency, I support respecting the individual conscience, so that each woman can decide for herself whether and when to have a child.
Your views on health care reform will be helpful to me as the Senate continues to work on this issue. Please let me know if I can be of help to you in the future.
Sincerely,Barbara A. Mikulski
United States Senator
No comments:
Post a Comment