The American Health Care Act (AHCA), legislation that would repeal and replace major portions of the “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act” (more commonly known as Obamacare), will be voted on in the U.S. House of Representatives this week. National Right to Life is supporting, the AHCA because it has specific pro-life provisions to prevent tax funding of abortion, reduce the likelihood that federal law will induce the rationing of life-saving treatment, and remove a large portion of federal funding that goes to Planned Parenthood.
If nothing changes in regard to the current Obamacare law, it is estimated that $726 billion will flow from the federal Treasury in direct subsidies for Obamacare health plans. In September, 2014, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued a report that confirmed that elective abortion coverage is widespread in federally subsidized plans on the Obamacare exchanges. In the 27 states (plus D.C.) that did not have laws in effect that restrict abortion coverage, over one thousand exchange plans covered abortion.
Polls consistently show that a large majority of Americans, anywhere from 62% to 83%, do not support the use of tax dollars to pay for abortion. This includes many who identify as “pro-choice.” We need to use every opportunity available to remove all federal funding, through subsidies of insurance plans or any other means, for abortion.
The AHCA also eliminates, for one year, most federal funding of Planned Parenthood, the nation’s largest abortion provider responsible for the deaths of more than 300,000 unborn children every year. If Planned Parenthood wants to continue to receive federal tax dollars, they should accept President Trump’s offer of continued funding in exchange for no longer performing abortions.
Additionally, the ACHA preserves non-taxed employer-provided health plans and postpones the “Cadillac tax” until 2026.
We occasionally hear the argument that it would be better to leave Obamacare alone and let it implode in a few years– then Congress can step in to fix it. Doing nothing to overturn the multiple abortion-expanding and rationing provisions of Obamacare is not an acceptable option. As long as Obamacare is the law of the land, tax dollars will continue to be used to pay for the killing of unborn children, and Planned Parenthood will continue to receive taxpayer dollars through various programs.
I urge you to contact your member of Congress and ask him/her to vote FOR the AHCA.
Dear Members of Congress,
I am writing to urge you to uphold the truth and reject the false narrative that abortion is healthcare. As you deliberate on matters concerning women’s health and reproductive rights, it is crucial to recognize the critical distinction between genuine healthcare services and the termination of innocent human lives.
Abortion is not healthcare. It is the deliberate ending of a developing human life, often under the guise of reproductive rights or women’s health. Framing abortion as healthcare not only obscures the reality of what it entails but also undermines the sanctity of human life and the principles of medical ethics.
True healthcare is about healing, preserving life, and promoting well-being. It involves providing compassionate and comprehensive services that address the physical, emotional, and psychological needs of patients. Abortion, on the other hand, involves ending a life in its earliest stages of development, with profound and irreversible consequences.
Furthermore, labeling abortion as healthcare perpetuates a harmful narrative that devalues the inherent dignity and worth of every human being, particularly the most vulnerable among us—the unborn. It fails to acknowledge the fundamental rights of unborn children and disregards their humanity.
As members of Congress, you have a responsibility to protect and uphold the dignity and rights of all individuals, including the unborn. This includes ensuring access to genuine healthcare services that respect the sanctity of human life and promote the well-being of both mother and child.
I urge you to reject efforts to equate abortion with healthcare and instead focus on policies that support women, families, and the sanctity of human life. Let us work together to advance solutions that provide comprehensive healthcare, support for expectant mothers, and alternatives to abortion.
Thank you for considering my perspective on this important issue. I trust that you will act with wisdom, compassion, and a commitment to upholding the dignity and rights of all individuals.
Chelsea Garcia is a political writer with a special interest in international relations and social issues. Events surrounding the war in Ukraine and the war in Israel are a major focus for political journalists. But as a former local reporter, she is also interested in national politics.
Chelsea Garcia studied media, communication and political science in Texas, USA, and learned the journalistic trade during an internship at a daily newspaper. In addition to her political writing, she is pursuing a master's degree in multimedia and writing at Texas.
