CBS News [13] offers a critically important debunking of ten health care reform myths, including that the "House health care bill mandates or encourages euthanasia" and that "health care legislation mandates taxpayer dollars pay for abortions." Instead, CBS explains,
In fact, the House Energy and Commerce Committee on Thursday adopted an amendment [14], proposed by Rep. Lois Capps (D-Calif.), that would prohibit taxpayer dollars from funding abortions. The amendment would not allow the federal government to either require or prohibit abortion coverage by private insurers. It requires at least one plan from the federal health insurance exchange in each region of the country to cover abortion, and at least one of the plans to not cover abortion.
"Private health care providers are free to cover abortion, but not with federal funds," reports [15] Dan Gilgoff of U.S. News and World Report. "The public plan would cover abortion, but not with federal funds; a Capitol Hill aide tells me money for abortions would come from what participants pay into the public plan."
On euthanasia, CBS explains,
There is nothing in any health care reform bill before Congress that would require people to "decide how they wish to die." Conservative talking points from activists and legislators, however, would suggest otherwise...In fact, section 1233 of the House bill [16] would allow Medicare for the first time to cover patient-doctor consultations about end-of-life planning, including discussions about drawing up a living will or planning hospice treatment. Patients would, of course, seek out such advice on their own -- they would not be required to. The provision would limit Medicare coverage to one consultation every five years.
Salon [17] offers
its own list of health care myths, and again, explains that on coverage
for abortion,
Pro-choice lawmakers are trying to craft a compromise that would require insurance companies to pay for abortions out of premiums paid by patients, not out of tax dollars. Pro-choice Rep. Lois Capps, D-Calif., amended the House version of the legislation to state that abortion is not part of an "essential benefits package" [18] that all insurance plans must provide -- meaning someone could offer a special "pro-life health insurance" plan that doesn't cover abortions, even under the reforms.
Dr. LeRoy Carhart Plans to Open Open Kansas Clinic
The Wichita Eagle [19]
reports that Dr. LeRoy Carhart, and women's health and abortion
provider, plans to open a "late-term abortion practice" in Wichita, the
home of late Dr. George Tiller's clinic. Carhart's plans aren't
without controversy: "The anti-abortion group Operation Rescue this
week announced a "Keep It
Closed" campaign targeting Carhart. The group said it would protest at
his Nebraska clinic Aug. 28-29."
Esquire Profiles Dr. Warren Hern
Esquire [20] profiles Boulder-based women's health and abortion provider Dr. Warren Hern. A brief excerpt:
The patients can be upsetting too. They're under terrible stress, of course, but sometimes they come in very angry. One had conjoined twins and would have died giving birth, but she exploded when he told her she couldn't smoke in the office. And some treat him with contempt and disgust, usually the ones who have been directly involved in antiabortion activities. They hate all abortion except for their special case. One even said they should all be killed. Only fourteen, she came with her mother. What brings you here? he asked. I have to have an abortion. Why? I'm not old enough to have a baby. But you told the counselor we should all be killed? Yes, you should all be killed. Why? Because you do abortions.Yes, you should be killed too. Do you want me killed before or after I do your abortion? Before.
Me too?
Other News to Note
August 6: WaPo: Morning Fix: As California Goes. . . [21]
August 6: Catholic Culture: BISHOP OPPOSES CATHOLIC CONGRESSMAN’S BILL TO FUND BIRTH CONTROL [22]
August 6: MovieWeb: Family Guy Cast to Perform a Live Table Reading of Their Abortion Episode [23]
August 6: LA Times: Arlen Specter's challenge [24]
August 5: LifeNews: Obama Vows to Pass Pro-Abortion Health Care Bill, Poll Shows Americans Opposed [25]
August 5: Christian Post: Proportion of 'Pro-Life' Americans Up This Year [26]
August 5: News On 6: Local Lawmakers Against Abortion Provision in Health Care Bill [27]
August 5: Calgary Herald: Teens understand emergency-contraception labels [28]
August 5: AP: Colo. Abortion Doctor Links 'Hate Speech,' Killing [29]
August 6: Healthcare Republic: Lack of contraceptive choice [30]
August 5: LifeNews: Pro-Life Advocates: UN Treaty on Disabled Doesn't Promote Abortion [31]
August 5: NRO: Saletan's Baby, Ctd. [32]
August 5: AM Litigation Daily: Federal Circuit Affirms Invalidity of Bayer Patent on Birth Control Pill [33]
August 4: Kansas City Star: (Letter) Sanger helped women plan families [34]
August 5: Lawyers and Settlements: Oh Yaz, There May be a Problem [35]
August 5: LifeSiteNews: International Groups Pressure Dominican Government to Remove Pro-Life Constitutional Provisions as Final Vote Approaches [36]
August 5: HuffPo: Abortion Coverage Allowed In Health Care Legislation [37]
August 5: LifeNews: Federal Court OKs Law Stopping Pro-Life Pastor Outside Oakland Abortion Center [38]
August 5: Mail Online: Obama's healthcare reforms could result in 'abortion on demand' [39]
August 4: Opposing Views: Pro-Life Groups Must End Abortion Health Care Propaganda [40]
August 5: Times of Malta: Malta's MEPs should defend pro-life values - GOL [41]
August 5: MetroCatholic: Plan B Pill Dangers Further Highlight Safety of NFP [42]
August 5: SFGate: Attitudes shift on abortion, same-sex marriage [43]
August 5: Patriot Ledger: YOUR OPINION: Health reform offensive to abortion foes [44]
August 4: Republican American: Permanent control New birth control gaining popularity [45]
August 4: LifeSiteNews: "Safe Sex" with Condoms Bad for Mental Health, Psych Researcher Finds [46]
August 5: Courier News: Stricter abortion rules in place [47]