Ending taxpayer funding of abortion should not be a partisan issue. The House passed a bill that would establish a permanent ban on taxpayer subsidies for abortion and abortion coverage, codify conscience protections, and close loopholes that give tax-preferred status to abortion.
The "No Taxpayer Funding of Abortion Act", authored by Rep. Chris Smith (R- NJ) and Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-IL), was co-sponsored by South Dakota Rep. Kristi Noem. Sen. John Thune indicated he will also support. Sen. Tim Johnson's vote on bill HR3, will define his position on taxpayer funding of abortion.
Elective abortion is not health care. Restricting public funding of abortion does save lives. An April CNN poll showed that 61 percent of respondents oppose public funding of abortion - and that percentage is likely greater in South Dakota. Under HR3, individuals would still receive a tax credit for health insurance coverage that does not include abortion. If people want abortion coverage, they could use their own money to purchase a rider. HR3 is considered tax neutral. The rape/incest language is the same as it was in the Hyde Amendment. Tax returns list total dollar amounts for medical care; there would be no "abortion audits." HR3 creates no new audit authority.
It's true; if Sen. Johnson won't vote for this spending cut, what cuts will he vote for? We pay for abortion in more ways than one.
Valerie Johnson
Mitchell
