By Lisa Trigg
TERRE HAUTE — A Hoosier legislator in Washington has heard the anti-abortion voice of area women speaking out to keep abortion funding out of federal health care legislation.
As about 20 supporters of the Susan B. Anthony List conducted a press conference outside the Terre Haute district office of Rep. Brad Ellsworth, D-8th, Ellsworth reaffirmed his support for provisions to prevent federal funding of abortion in the federal legislation now under consideration.
“Negotiations for the final health care reform bill are just beginning,” Ellsworth responded in a press release. “But I want to make it clear, as I have said many times, I will not support a bill that I believe would result in federal tax dollars being used to pay for elective abortions. Period.”
The two-term congressman was commended by Marilyn Musgrave, regional political director of the Susan B. Anthony List, for bucking the Democratic Party leadership in November to vote for what Musgrave termed the “pro-life, pro-women” Stupak amendment to the House’s health reform bill.
That amendment prohibits public money being used for abortion or for any insurance policy that offers abortion coverage. In its longer, official form, the amendment carries Ellsworth’s name as an author.
But Musgrave expressed fears that Ellsworth could bow to party pressure.
“On behalf of Indiana women, I urge Congressman Ellsworth to stand true to his values and vote no on any health care measure that includes government funding for abortion,” Musgrave said.
The health care legislation as now written, she said, contains the largest expansion of government-backed abortion since Roe vs. Wade, the landmark 1973 Supreme Court case that legalized abortion. Musgrave claims the legislation supports insurance that pays for an abortion on demand, which is a stark departure from current federal policy.
Jennifer Buell, chairman of Wabash Valley Right to Life, also encouraged Ellsworth to stand firm against the use of federal funds to pay for abortion.
“It is better to have no health care reform than to provide for taxpayer funding of abortion,” Buell said. “We oppose government mandates for participation in government selected health care insurance programs, especially if they pay for abortion.”
Sharon Carey, president of the Wabash Valley Crisis Pregnancy Center, said she fears that people facing an unwanted pregnancy will take “the easy way out” if they have the funds or insurance coverage available to get an abortion.
CPC offers free services for men and women facing a crisis pregnancy, services such as counseling and testing.
“I’m concerned that if abortion is free, then abortions will increase,” Carey said. “If the option to have a free service is presented, they will take the easy way out.”
Concern that Ellswowrth might change his stance was echoed by Mary Ellen Van Dyke, director of Vanderburgh County Right to Life in Ellsworth’s home county.
Sen. Evan Bayh stated he was opposed to abortion, Van Dyke said, but he voted for the Senate’s version of health care reform which she and others at the rally said allows abortion funding. That kind of compromise does not protect the sanctity of all human life, she asserted.
The Susan B. Anthony List is a nationwide network for Americans supporting anti-abortion women in politics. The final stop on the group’s nine-city tour of Indiana was Indianapolis.
Lisa Trigg can be reached at (812) 231-4254 or lisa.trigg@tribstar.com.
