<em>Is Anybody There?</em>: Which is It?

A huge part of the ObamaCare debate has been about whether it includes abortion coverage. Pro-life groups have been repeating over & over that it does. An attempt to ensure that abortion was not included was defeated.

The other day Obama had a conference call with what was called faith leaders but only included those who would be described as left wing & abortion supporters that he knew wouldn't challenge his assertions. It included such groups as Faith in Public Life & Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good. In other words, the usual suspects.

In that call he denied that ObamaCare would cover abortion. He said those who were raising concerns about abortion being covered as well as other concerns like euthenasia being encouraged were "bearing false witness" by spreading "misinformation".

He used multiple Biblical references to criticize opponents of his healthcare plan. "You've heard that this is all going to mean government funding of abortion. Not true. These are all fabrications that have been put out there in order to discourage people from meeting what I consider to be a core ethical and moral obligation - and that is that we look out for one another, that I am my brother's keeper and I am my sister's keeper."

The problem is, the facts show otherwise & that Obama is the one who is "bearing false witness". But given the fact he also told Papa Benedetto that he was working to reduce abortion when the facts showed otherwise that he was again lying should not be surprizing.

OK, abortion is not mentioned per se in any of the bills. But the way the bill is wording, it would allow those in charge like Kathleen Sibelius to require it as "essential" care. This is a promise that Obama made in a July 2007 speech at a Planned Parenthood fundraiser. He firmly pledged that his plans for a government-run insurance option would cover abortions as "essential" care, and that abortion was "at the heart, and at the center of" his health care reform.

Then on 18 August the president of Planned Parenthood, Cecile Richards, penned a scathing editorial FOR the Huffington Post. In it she slammed the US Catholic Bishops for their opposition to the abortion mandate in the Obama health care bill, as well as their oppostion of it in general. (It includes a short attack on the whole of Catholic teaching on sexuality as well.) She said: "Since when does universal health care mean denying comprehensive reproductive health care supported by the majority of Americans?" & it has been made clear again & again by PP & other abortion supporters that abortion is a part of that comprehensive care.

From the tone of the article it is clear she sees abortion as being included in ObamaCare as it is now in Congress, even if it isn't mentioned by name, since ObamaCare is supposed to provide the comprehensive care she refers to. & it is clear from PP's website that they feel the same way. In fact, it also shows how PP speaks out of both sides of their mouth to aide in the confusion. They echo Obama's claim that ObamaCare won't mandate abortion coverage. Yet, if it doesn't how will it ensure women the right to "basic reproductive health care, including abortion care"? (Note that they call abortion a part of the basic care, not extra or optional.)

Another thing that proves ObamaCare includes abortion is the concerns of the "blue-dog" Democrats. 19 pro-life Democrats wrote a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, informing her that they would only support healthcare legislation that "explicitly excludes" federal funding of abortions. Why the concern if ObamaCare doesn't include it, at least implicitly?

It is clear that ObamaCare will mandate abortion coverage. & like what we saw with the EEOC's recent ruling forcing Belmont College to cover contraceptives, it will be imposed on Catholic institutions as well. & it is clear that Obama's supporters in Congress will do what they can to ensure it gets through. As Sen Harry Reid recently said: "we are determined to get something done this year by any legislative means necessary." In other words, we will do what we want, however we want & we don't care what the people want, what we want is all that matters.

It is clear that those of us who are Pro-Life cannot relax for a minute. The pressure must be kept up on the Pro-life Democrats. & those who are pro-abortion in either party need to know that if they live in a district that is not in tune with their views on this, they just might find themselves out of a job come November 2010. Add euthenasia & embryonic stem cell research to the mix & it might become even more likely they will lose.

Again I remend everyone that prayer is our 1st line of attack. It must be the start & end & undergirding of everything we do in our efforts to build the "Culture of Life".