Conservative Democrats opposed to abortion say they won’t vote for any public health care plan that includes funding for the procedure. The list includes Tennessee’s Lincoln Davis.
President Obama and Democratic leaders want to create a government insurance plan to compete with private ones. But if the plan covers abortions, Congressman Davis says he will oppose the entire health care reform package. He says using taxpayer dollars for the controversial procedure is wrong. Davis is part of a group of 19 anti-abortion Democrats who have taken this stance.
“This doesn’t repeal Roe v. Wade. A woman still has that option. She still has that choice. But people in this country who don’t agree that abortion is something that ought to happen should not be forced to pay for those abortions. What my effort does is say Roe v. Wade is the law of the land. A woman has that choice. But government should not pay for it.”
So far none of the proposals on the table fund or require funding abortions. With a health care reform bill as contentious as it is leadership is counting on all Democrats. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is reportedly talking with her colleagues about their concerns.
Reported by Sara Sciammacco
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