House Healthcare Roller Coaster Accelerates

Some of the so-called Blue Dog Democrats cave on health care reform and the roller coaster ride accelerates. Stuck on the ride are hundreds of thousands of unborn babies who lives are threatened by this monster. While there is not enough discussion about the sweeping abortion mandates in the public debate, what is coming to light is the threat to older people and those with terminal illnesses. Obama himself has been very outspoken about what treatment(s) Grandma should not receive — a pain pill is his answer.

So, what is the status? It changes by the hour. Depending on which commentator is pontificating, there are enough Blue Dog Dems to vote H.R. 3200 out of the House Energy Committee, the last hurdle before the bill hits the House floor in September.

Lying in the weeds are the Stupak-Pitts amendments to H.R. 3200 which will be offered at the House Energy Committee mark-up this week.  These amendments would do four things:

1. Exclude abortion as a basic benefit

2. Prevent direct funding of abortions

3. Protect state and federal laws that restrict abortions

4. Provide conscience protections for medical professionals.

If these amendments are not adopted, a full-scale assault on H.R. 3200 and its companions begins immediately as our elected officials return to their home districts.

Barbara Lyons