The President promised that ObamaCare would not subsidize abortions with taxpayer funds. The Heritage Foundation has released two new issue briefs that explore how this may be yet another false promise made to pass the law:
Compiled and summarized by The Market Institute.
Obamacare’s Abortion Surcharge and Taxpayer Funding of Abortion Coverage.
Heritage Foundation Brief #4093.
Millions of Americans will be forced to look to federally (or state) facilitated health exchanges to obtain health insurance that meets minimum requirements, or otherwise face a penalty. Many of the lower and middle income enrollees will be eligible for a tax subsidy from the federal government. Some of the health insurance plans offered on the exchanges do cover elective abortion, so in essence, federal taxpayers are subsidizing enrollees who have their abortions paid for by their insurance carrier.
While some states have taken action against insurers who do offer abortion coverage on their exchanges, 27 states and the District of Columbia have offered no final ruling. Those people living in these states could find themselves paying directly for elective abortions through a separate premium. For the next few years, Americans that wish to not subsidize abortion have very little recourse if they want health coverage. Definitive action is needed, such as the final 27 states passing legislation prohibiting insurers from offering coverage of elective abortion on state exchanges. On the federal level, Congress has the ability to pass a broad measure to protect taxpayers from having to fund abortions. Click here to read brief.
Obamacare’s Potential New Funding Streams for Abortion Providers
Heritage Foundation Brief #4094
Taxpayer streams, as a result of the sweeping Obamacare law, could provide increased funding to many abortion providers across the country. Fears of low enrollment has lead the administration to funnel millions of dollars to “community groups” including Planned-Parenthood affiliates, to help sign up people into the health insurance exchanges. Essential Community Providers are defined in Obamacare as those who serve “ “low-income, medically underserved individuals.” Insurers are mandated to offer coverage to a minimum of 10% of the ECP’s in their area. While there is no mandate that insurers cover Planned-Parenthoods explicitly, there is no guarantee they will not. The Obama Administration has made it clear it reserves the right to change ECP guidance in the future. Click here to read brief.
