How F.O.C.A. Is Included in the Healthcare Bill

Making abortion a fundamental right, through mandates and taxpayer-funding of abortion, is the cornerstone of F.O.C.A. It’s also a vital part of the new healthcare reform legislation, according to President Obama.

In 2007, Obama said, “…in my mind reproductive care is essential care, basic care so it is at the center, the heart of the plan I propose…”

The similarities between F.O.C.A and the new Healthcare plan are striking:

F.O.C.A.

• Nullify bans on taxpayer-funded abortion
• Invalidate any laws that would discriminate against  or interfere with the right to choose an abortion
• Prohibit regulation of abortion such as reflection periods , parental involvement, and medically-supported regulations such as requirements that only a licensed physician may perform abortions
• Invalidate all laws allowing doctors, nurses, other state-licensed medical professionals, hospitals and other health-care providers, to decline to provide, participate in, or pay for abortions.

Healthcare Bill

• Mandate abortion coverage in healthcare plans, which taxpayers will be subsidizing
• Includes abortion coverage in all healthcare plans, thus mandating abortion as a right, which cannot be discriminated against through parental involvement laws, mandated reflection periods, or bans on late-term abortions
• To meet the minimum requirements for participating in the government plan, insurance companies must ensure there are abortionists readily accessible
• The healthcare bill contains no provisions to protect doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals from performing or participating in abortions based on their conscience and moral, religious, or ethical values

What will be the results of the healthcare bill?

If the healthcare bill is passed, similar results will occur as if F.O.C.A was signed into law:

• Abortions will increase: if the bill is passed, it will be the most massive expansion of abortion since Roe v. Wade. Data shows that when abortion is a covered service, there are more abortions.
• All Americans will be forced to pay for abortions: taxpayer-funded abortions will be the norm, rather than the exception under the Hyde Amendment and other federal appropriation riders.
• Taxes will increase: any individual without a healthcare plan that includes abortion will be charged a 2% tax; every employer that doesn’t offer health insurance that includes abortion will be charged an 8% tax.
• Abortion clinics will open in communities all across the U.S.: To meet requirements for participating in the exchange, insurance companies will have to ensure there are abortionists readily accessible in every region.