NEWS SHORTS FOR THURSDAY
Disclaimer: The linked items below or the websites at which they are located do not necessarily represent the views of The Illinois Federation for Right to Life. They are presented only for your information.
Rep. Stupak Reaffirms Opposition To Abortion-Related Provision In House Health Reform Bill
Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mich.), an abortion-rights opponent, says that he and as many as 39 other antiabortion-rights House Democrats will oppose the chamber's health reform legislation (HR 3200) unless it abandons language outlining coverage of abortion services, Time reports. The House bill does not overturn existing federal restrictions on funding of abortion coverage. However, Stupak claims the bill is "a dramatic shift" from current federal policy under the Hyde Amendment. The amendment was first enacted in 1976 and currently prevents states from using federal Medicaid funds for abortion services except in cases of rape, incest or when the life of the woman is in danger. Federal policy also bars private insurance companies that offer plans to government employees, including the military, from covering abortion services. Opponents of abortion rights want health reform legislation to include language explicitly prohibiting private insurance companies that receive federal subsidies from covering abortion services except for cases currently allowed under the Hyde Amendment.
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Ghanaian archbishop asks Catholics to fight legalization of abortion
Philip Naameh, the Archbishop of Tamale, Ghana has asked Christians to help bring “the virtues of Christ” into the administration of the country and to fight the legalization of abortion there.
Addressing an audience of about 800 at the National Convention of the Knights of St. John International, the archbishop said it was un-Catholic to have abortions in Catholic societies, AllAfrica.com reports.
The archbishop said Catholics must practice sexual abstinence and desist from distributing condoms to the public. He also encouraged them to become involved in politics to ensure effective governance.
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Elderly Have Their Own Concerns About Health Care Overhaul
The trepidation that's taken hold among the elderly over President Barack Obama's drive to remake the nation's health care system is turning into one more political headache for Democrats as they struggle to reach agreement on sweeping health legislation that can pass the House and Senate after Labor Day.
Older Americans, who vote at a higher rate than other age groups, also hold deeper concerns than others about proposed health care changes, surveys have shown. An ABC/Washington Post poll this month found 45 percent of respondents overall supporting Democrats' proposed health care changes, while just 34 percent of seniors were in support.
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Kennedy's Death Being Used As An Excuse To Push Government Health Care Reform
Democrats are hoping that the memory of Sen. Ted Kennedy will revive the Democratic Party's flagging push for health care reform. "You've heard of 'win one for the Gipper'? There is going to be an atmosphere of 'win one for Teddy,'" Ralph G. Neas, the CEO of the liberal National Coalition on Health Care, told ABC News. Democrats are hoping that Kennedy's influence in death may be even stronger than it was when he was alive as they push for President Obama's top domestic priority. Democratic officials hope that invoking Kennedy's passion for the issue will counter slippage in support for heatlh care reform.
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Talk About Pulling The Plug On Grandma
The debate on health care reform is heating up. Americans are starting to pay attention to what is going on. Big Pharma, in a panic, has bought protection from the Obama administration. The Obama administration, fearing for its political life, has struck an 11th hour deal with the slimiest industry in the free world – change we can count on?
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Shanghai's Two-Child Policy
Low birthrates in Europe, East Asia, and even in places like Iran have resulted in rapidly aging societies. These societies will soon find themselves unable to sustain the kind of economic growth necessary to care for their population and maintain social peace. Officials in one unlikely country have taken notice. That unlikely country is China, home of the infamous “one-child” policy. Officials in Shanghai, China’s largest and richest city, are urging couples to have a second child. Family planning officials literally are going door-to-door, slipping leaflets under them. Whereas in most of China a visit from such an official is often a prelude to coercion and even forced abortions, these visitors implore couples to have a second child. Why? Not some newfound respect for life—it’s Shanghai’s deteriorating demographics. Nearly 22 percent of the population is over 60. Within 10 years, that will rise to a third. By 2050, there will be only 1.6 working-age adults to support every retiree.
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