By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
Friday, July 10, US Representative Mike Rogers (R-Saks) announced in a statement, that he was opposed to a controversial proposal to make states pay for abortions with their Medicaid dollars.
Congressman Rogers wrote, “This week, House Democrats introduced an extreme liberal proposal that would force taxpayers to pay for abortions under Medicaid. This dangerous proposal is not only reprehensible, but it is fundamentally wrong. Protecting the rights of unborn children is one of our most deeply held values. As your representative, I will do everything in my power to fight against this outrageous liberal plan.”
Alabama Citizens for Life Spokesperson Cheryl Ringuette Ciamarra told the Alabama Political Reporter, “House Democrats are renewing efforts to require Medicaid to pay for abortions in an attempt to direct attention away from the shocking undercover video where Dr. Deborah Nucatola, senior director for medical services for the Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA), states that some Planned Parenthood affiliates will provide intact baby parts (such as livers, hearts, lungs, brains and legs) to order obtained from later abortions; and the admissions by Dr. Nucatola that abortion methods may be altered to obtain intact baby parts. These statements raise many ethical questions including whether pregnant mothers are being informed in advance about exactly what procedure is going to be done to them and their babies. In the video she stated that she has morning “huddles” to discuss what age babies and what orders for body parts they have to adjust the procedures to insure they can fill the orders without damaging the desired organs. Listening to this is like being on the inside of a Nazi medical experiment. That is not what the average taxpayer wishes to support with tax dollars regardless of their views on abortion, especially not in family oriented Alabama!”
Congressman Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville) said in a statement about the Dr. Nucatola allegations, “The undercover video of Planned Parenthood provided proof positive for the world to see the argument that so many have been making for so long about Planned Parenthood and its disregard for human life. Congressional hearings have already been called and Planned Parenthood will have to publicly answer for these actions. As people hear about just exactly what is going on, I think you will see the minds and attitudes changing across the nation as to what this group is doing.”
Ms. Ciamara said, “While taxpayer funding of abortions sounds good for liberals courting low income women’s votes for the upcoming Presidential election, Planned Parenthood is already receiving 1.4 million dollars a day in federal grants and funding. Not bad for a nonprofit whose media friendliness has insured 56% of the country doesn’t even know that Planned Parenthood affiliates perform abortions. Over the past three reported years (2011-2013), Planned Parenthood has performed nearly one million abortions (988,783). Taxpayer funding accounts for 41 percent of Planned Parenthood’s overall revenue. Why isn’t that enough ? Votes will tell if US Congressmen can tell the difference between representing people and funding ending the lives of their future constituents.”
Congressman Bradley Byrne said in a statement on the Dr. Nucatola tape, “Every time I watch the Planned Parenthood video my heart breaks. I strongly support criminal and Congressional investigations into Planned Parenthood. I also support legislation that would ensure Planned Parenthood does not receive any federal grants or funding. Groups that perform abortions shouldn’t receive a dime of taxpayer money.”
National Right to Life Committee President Carol Tobias said in a statement, “Abortion is big business and abortionists rake in hundreds of millions of dollars each year. The abortion industry receives hundreds of millions of dollars annually from federal, state, and local taxpayers. Corporations that are heavily involved in abortion should not be receiving tax dollars for any purpose – it merely allows them to further expand their killing empires.”
Ciamarra said, “It is a fact that Planned Parenthood’s political arm is a major backer of many Democratic members of Congress. Lawmakers who have enjoyed Planned Parenthood’s backing should now be asked whether they are motivated in any degree by a desire to preserve Planned Parenthood’s ability to deliver intact, well-developed baby body parts to order.”
Congresswoman Martha Roby is calling for a criminal investigation into Planned Parenthood’s conduct. Rep. Roby said, “I think this warrants a criminal investigation – a serious one. I don’t care how much political weight Planned Parenthood throws around this town, no one is above the law.”
Ciamarra said that, “Alabama Citzens for Life is calling on Gov. Robert Bentley to pass a Dismemberment Abortion Ban Act (Unborn Child Protection from Dismemberment Abortion Act) to help protect unborn children in Alabama from such barbarity.”
President Tobias said, “One of our top priorities should be enactment of legislation like the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, which will at least begin to limit the ability of the abortion industry to deliver intact, well-developed baby body parts to order. Pro-life activists, public officials, and candidates alike also need to prioritize ending public funding of the abortion industry. It’s time to say ‘enough is enough’.”
House Democrats are renewing their attack on the Hyde Amendment, the controversial budget provision that bars federal funds from paying for abortions.
Reps. Barbara Lee (D-California), Diana DeGette (D-Colorado) and Jan Schakowsky (D-Illinois) introduced the bill Wednesday that would require Medicaid to cover abortion services which are currently banned under the Hyde Amendment.
The legislation, the Equal Access to Abortion Coverage in Health Insurance Woman Act, is backed by dozens of women’s health groups, who say it will help reduce the number of unplanned pregnancies. About 65 lawmakers have signed on as co-sponsors.
(Original reporting by the Hill’s Sarah Ferris contributed to this report)
