Can anyone explain the latest restrictions on abortion in the senate's health care legislation?

Question

According to my understanding, the democrats helped the last 5 cloture votes by caving into demands for tougher abortion restrictions.  Specifically, I believe the bill allows states to forbid abortion from being covered by plans in the health insurance exchange.  Assuming all health insurance policies will have to be routed through the exchange (true of earlier versions of the bill; maybe not the case now?), this in effect allows states to prevent insurance companies from covering abortion, even if they want to.

Assuming this is all correct, let's stand back and look at what happened here.  Conservatives have gotten their panties in a knot since the very beginning of this debate over two issues: first, they think that government reform will give the government the power to "ration" health care by dictating what procedures can and cannot be covered; and second, they refuse to allow any public money to be spent on abortions.  Those two arguments are actually consistent (barely), but not if you give the government the power to stop you from spending YOUR OWN money on abortion.  The official conservative position is now "DON'T LET THE GOVERNMENT CONTROL YOUR LIFE!!!  (except in the ways that we specify)".  Would anyone care to try to defend this blatant hypocrisy?

mackler · Accepted Answer

Your question is basically, "how can you justify stopping people from having abortions and at the same time advocate less government"
The problem is you're grouping multiple groups together:

Christian conservatism — Conservative Christians are primarily interested in family values. They believe that the United States was founded as a Christian nation, believe that abortion is wrong, may favor teacher-led Christian prayer in state schools, define marriage as between one man and one woman, and desire regulation of the public media to reduce profanity and sexual references. They strongly oppose the normalization of homosexuality.

Limited government conservatism — Limited government conservatives look for a decreased role of the federal government. They follow Thomas Jefferson and James Madison in their suspicion of a powerful federal government.

(wikipedia's definition)

The Christian supporters:
Would be perfectly fine for a government that follows a "moral" following. Their problem with excessive government is that the government would be funding immoral organizations/activities etc. They don't seek a limited government, they seek a just government, and if they can't have that they'd rather less of the bad.

The Anti-Government supporters:
They are anti this bill in general, it has nothing to do with abortion. These people would prefer no bill to any, and would usually be pro-choice, so wouldn't mind abortion.

As for the bill:
"THEIR OWN MONEY". Maybe I have to look at the bill itself, but what I thought was that it would only stop insurance companies. Individuals would still have full reign over their out of pocket expenses.

Mommyof3 · Answer

My tax money should not go towards someones abortion. Has nothing to do with pro-choice or pro-life. You want an abortion, you pay for it.

Anonymous · Answer

I'm pro- choice, however, I don't feel that elective procedures should be tax paid. If so what next? Tummy tucks, breast augmentations and chin lifts?

Bar rack bin 0bama · Answer

Nobody can explain ANYTHING about this stupid bill let alone anything about abortion.

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Can anyone explain the latest restrictions on abortion in the senate's health care legislation?

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