House GOP Wants Abortions Out of Health Exchange
By WestKyStar Staff
FRANKFORT, KY - Republican State Representative Stan Lee of Lexington and other House GOP members today called on Governor Steve Beshear to exclude coverage of abortions from the Kentucky Health Exchange Network, which the Governor formed a few weeks ago by Executive Order under Obamacare.
“I join in the call to Governor Beshear to opt our Commonwealth out of the provision covering abortions under Obamacare,” said House Republican Floor Leader Jeff Hoover, R-Jamestown. “Not only are we concerned about the overall cost of implementing Obamacare in Kentucky, but also the moral message that would be sent if tax dollars were used to carry out abortions.”
“The idea of government-run health insurance is already strongly opposed by many Kentuckians,” said Rep. Lee. “But it is simply unfathomable to think the cost of abortions could be covered with tax dollars under Obamacare, and I urge those who oppose this action to contact the Governor’s Office and the Kentucky Department of Insurance and let them know.”
“Even the proponents of government-run health care inserted a provision that allows states to opt out of abortion coverage in their respective health networks,” added Rep. Joe Fischer, R-Ft. Thomas, who is also calling on Kentucky to exclude abortion coverage under Obamacare. “It is already against Federal law to use public funds to pay for abortions, and many states including Florida and Kentucky have passed their own laws that exclude using public funds for abortions.”
"It is my hope that Kentucky will join states that have already exercised the "op-out" clause that passed as part of the Affordable Health Care Act and there for prohibit abortion coverage entirely for any plan selling on the state’s exchange," said Rep. Addia Wuchner, R-Florence.
“The sanctity of the American family has been under attack for many years, and this is yet another example of legislation that a majority of Kentuckians and Americans simply do not support,” said Rep. Tim Moore, R-Elizabethtown. “We call on our fellow members of the House and Senate to oppose any use of tax dollars to cover abortions.”
“I’m pleased to join in the call to the Governor and the Department of Insurance to opt Kentucky out of the coverage for abortions section of Obamacare,” said Rep. Mike Harmon, R-Danville. “The Commonwealth already bans all public hospitals and health care facilities from carrying out abortions, and we should follow suit by removing coverage of abortions in the publically funded health exchange network.”
According to a recent release from the Department of Insurance, the Commonwealth is reviewing various benefit options to determine which health benefits will be covered by the Health Exchange Network. Those recommendations will be submitted to the Secretary of the Cabinet of Health and Human Services by the end of September. You can submit your input regarding what benefits should or should not be included via e-mail at
DOI.RateReview@ky.gov, or
healthcarereform@ky.gov.
“Obamacare has certainly been a concern among my constituents, and the possible inclusion of public funds to pay for controversial procedures should have all Kentuckians up in arms,” said Rep. Ben Waide, R-Madisonville. “A CBS/Wall Street Journal poll in 2003 found that nearly 70 percent of those living in southern states, including Kentucky either oppose abortion or supported strict regulations. It is our belief those percentages still hold true in 2012.”
"The vast majority of Kentucky taxpayers are not willing to pay for abortions with their hard-earned dollars,” added Rep. Kim King, R-Harrodsburg. “Federal programs often include this type of inclusion, or mandate, and are the very reason why the Commonwealth should carefully consider all ramifications and long-term costs before committing to seemingly helpful Federal assistance."
Rep. Lee, joined by Representatives Fischer, Harmon, King, Moore, and Waide will take additional steps to prevent the coverage of abortions under the Kentucky Health Exchange Network by prefiling a bill for the 2013 Legislative Session that would make it illegal to pay for abortions under the health care exchange.
“The mere morality of using taxpayer dollars to set up a system that will cover the taking of a life is something many of us strongly oppose,” added Rep. Lee. “It is essential through public outcry and if necessary putting it into law that the health exchange network will not be used to pay for abortions.”