53rd March for Life and 50th Anniversary of Hyde Amendment
January 23rd marks a significant milestone: the 53rd March for Life and the 50th anniversary of the Hyde Amendment. This legislation has been pivotal in preventing American taxpayers from funding elective abortions. Essentially, the Hyde Amendment raises the question of who foots the bill for abortions, rather than debating their legality. Over the past five decades, Congress has consistently passed the Hyde Amendment in its annual appropriations bills. While public opinion on abortion varies widely, many surveys indicate a consensus that no one should be forced to pay for someone else’s abortion.
The Hyde Amendment rests on two fundamental principles: first, that federal taxpayers should not finance abortions, and second, that programs offering abortion coverage should not receive taxpayer money. Most federal health care programs, including Medicaid, Medicare, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program, are protected by these principles, with one notable exception: Obamacare.
The Affordable Care Act is the only health care plan that bypasses the Hyde protections through a controversial Section 1303 accounting provision established when the bill was enacted 16 years ago.
Proponents of Obamacare suggest that it adheres to the Hyde framework since Section 1303 requires a “separate payment” of at least $1 for abortion coverage. However, this is widely viewed as an accounting sleight of hand. Shortly after the law’s passage, the Obama administration interpreted “separate” to mean “combined,” thereby allowing one payment to cover multiple services, often funded by taxpayer dollars.
Millions of people enrolled in Obamacare, paying no premiums, do not pay extra for abortion coverage, which is bundled in the taxpayer-subsidized insurance premium tax credit.
As it stands, 12 states mandate that health plans sold within their borders include coverage for both surgical and chemical abortions. Therefore, taxpayers in those states are compelled to subsidize abortion costs through their taxes and insurance premiums. Alarmingly, around 15 insurance companies failed to itemize abortion coverage costs on their bills, violating legal requirements to charge separately for it.
Notably, the strongest evidence against the claim that Obamacare is compliant with the Hyde Amendment comes from pro-abortion organizations like the Planned Parenthood Action Fund and Reproductive Freedom for All. They recently urged Democratic members of Congress to resist adding Hyde protections to Obamacare tax credits, clearly indicating their awareness that Obamacare is the sole federal program that funds abortions and their reluctance to compromise that funding source.
It’s undeniable: healthcare costs are increasing. Former President Obama’s promise of saving households $2,500 on insurance premiums hasn’t come to fruition. Republicans have proposed practical solutions for reducing healthcare costs, such as allowing small businesses to join forces, creating subsidized high-risk pools, and tackling pharmacy benefit managers who restrict prescription options and inflate expenses for consumers.
Yet, each time Democrats engage in discussions about health care reform, they insist that any agreement includes taxpayer-funded elective abortion coverage. This approach does not resonate with many Americans who prioritize healthcare that promotes life rather than diminishes it. There is a belief that all children hold value; thus, discussions about the Hyde Amendment are essential because every child matters. Healthcare costs can certainly be decreased, but for that to happen, Democrats might need to consider a compromise on the Hyde Amendment.
