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On health care law and abortion

Terry leads White in fundraising

Published Tuesday, October 12, 2010: The Public Pulse, OMAHA WORLD-HERALD

I believe Ann Glover (Oct. 5 Pulse) is wrong to criticize U.S. Rep. Lee Terry's recent mailer on abortion. President Barack Obama's health care law doesn't prohibit the use of taxpayer dollars for abortion, and any implication by Ms. Glover to the contrary is wrong.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops issued a March 23 statement opposing the bill, warning it would “expand the role of the federal government in funding and facilitating abortion and plans that cover abortion.”

I've heard the claim that Obama's executive order prohibits abortion funding, but the executive order is not part of the law. It can be withdrawn at any time and does not trump a statute. Why wasn't the prohibition simply placed in the health care law itself?

Congressional candidate Tom White has every right to support the $1.2 trillion Obama health law if he wishes, but I believe that support will place him at odds with the vast majority of Nebraskans. Taxpayer funding of abortion was one consequence of this new law, and Rep. Terry absolutely has every right to point this out.

Matt McKeever, Omaha

 

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