GOP's Boehner: Pelosi plans 'monthly abortion premium'

U.S. House Minority Leader Rep. John Boehner, R-Ohio, is warning voters across America that the "government takeover of health care" pushed by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., contains a "monthly abortion premium" for participants of a proposed government insurance company.

The issue of abortion funding in the Democratic plan has been contentious, with many moderate Democrats who recognize their constituents oppose mandating taxpayer funding for abortion concerned about the underlying support for the industry in the proposals.

Members of the GOP largely have opposed the health-care plan for a multitude of reasons, including abortion funding.

Today on his House blog, Boehner said the plan sets up funding for abortion-industry leaders that could include Planned Parenthood.

"Health care reform should not be used as an opportunity to use federal funds to pay for elective abortions," Boehner wrote. "Health reform should be an opportunity to protect human life – not end it."

But, he said, line 17 of page 110 of Pelosi's 2,032-page plan specifically states, "Abortions for which Public Funding is Allowed."

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There, Boehner explained, the Health and Human Services Secretary "is given the authority to determine when abortion is allowed under the government-run plan."

"What is even more alarming is that a monthly abortion premium will be charged of all enrollees in the government-run plan," Boehner continued. "It's right there on line 16, page 96, section 213, under 'Insurance Rating Rules.' The premium will be paid into a U.S. Treasury account – and these federal funds will be used to pay for the abortion services."

Boehner continued, "Section 213 describes the process in which the Health Benefits Commissioner is to assess the monthly premiums that will be used to pay for elective abortions under the government-run plan. The commissioner must charge at a minimum $1 per enrollee per month."

But he said most Americans believe any health care bill should not mandate funding of elective abortion coverage.

"Currently, federal appropriations bills include language known as the Hyde Amendment that prohibits the use of federal funds to pay for elective abortions under the Medicare and Medicaid programs, while another provision, known as the Smith Amendment, prohibits federal funding of abortion under the federal employees' health benefits plan," he said.

Pelosi, however, mandates such payments in her "health care monstrosity," Boehner said.

"The American people deserve more from their government than being forced to pay for abortion," he said.

The health care proposal was the target of a massive rally in Washington today.

The event was called by lawmakers led by Reps. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., and Pete Hoekstra, R-Mich., who cited a massive outpouring of opposition as "the most effective way we have to kill socialized medicine and to do it this week."

"Nothing is more effective at reaching a congressman than having a citizen come to Washington, D.C. – not asking for a handout, not asking for tax money, not asking to take some liberty away from somebody else, but just asking for freedom," Bachmann said.

In addition to a "Pink Slips" campaign under way warning members of Congress of the impact of their votes, a WND reader has submitted an idea for those planning to attend to print their own "Pink Slip" poster and ticket.

The images have been embedded in a PDF file available online.

"The 'Pink Slip' posters and tickets can be easily printed from any printer and are available for anyone to use for the rallies tomorrow. The 'Pink Slip' poster is designed for the rally and the 'Pink Slip' tickets are designed to be given to every socialist Congressman who supports this bill," wrote reader Joseph Smith.

(Editor's note: Concerned individuals may contact their respective representatives and senators.)