{"id":247,"date":"2009-12-13T18:00:00","date_gmt":"2009-12-13T18:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/lynnvsekulow\/2009\/12\/health-care-abortion-part-2.html"},"modified":"2009-12-13T18:00:00","modified_gmt":"2009-12-13T18:00:00","slug":"health-care-abortion-part-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/lynnvsekulow\/2009\/12\/health-care-abortion-part-2.html","title":{"rendered":"Health Care & Abortion: Part 2"},"content":{"rendered":"

Barry,<\/font><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

We do have a rich and diverse nation and it is true that our country is full of a variety of faith traditions.  <\/span>That’s what makes America so unique.<\/font><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Unfortunately, our government leaders don’t always listen to the American people.  <\/span>That’s exactly what happened just days ago on Capitol Hill when the Senate rejected a sound amendment that would have kept abortion from becoming a mandatory health benefit.  <\/span>Most Americans don’t want federal health care dollars used for abortion.  <\/span>A recent poll <\/a>reveals 80% of Americans either favor a prohibition on abortion funding, or want neutral language in the bill.<\/font><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Senate isn’t listening.  <\/span>By a vote of 54-45, the Senate<\/a> tabled an important amendment that had the support of several pro-life Democrats – including Senators Ben Nelson and Bob Casey.  <\/font><\/font><\/font>The amendment was tailored after the Stupak-Pitts Amendment that passed in the House. That amendment<\/a> provides important protections for the life of the unborn. <\/font><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Our analysis<\/a> of the Senate health care legislation now being debate clearly shows <\/font>that abortion coverage would be mandatory.  <\/span>The measure also weakens conscience-clause protections for pro-life medical professionals and fails to prevent abortion referrals in school based health centers.  <\/span><\/span><\/font><\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/font><\/font> <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/font><\/font>What happens now?  <\/span>Well, Sen. Nelson <\/a>is standing firm in his promise to filibuster any Senate bill that does not exclude abortion funding.  <\/font><\/font>Other pro-life Democrats should follow suit.  <\/span>Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid needs every vote he can get if he expects to pass a health care bill.<\/font><\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span> <\/p>\n

<\/span>Even if some sort of health care measure clears the Senate, we’re back to square-one in a sense – working out the differences between the House and Senate versions – with abortion funding among the chief differences.  T<\/font><\/font><\/span>he battle to protect innocent human life is not over when it comes to health care. It’s really just beginning.<\/font><\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/font><\/font><\/span> <\/p>\n

To subscribe to “Lynn v. Sekulow” click <\/font>here<\/font><\/a>.<\/span><\/span><\/font><\/font><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/font><\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/font><\/span> <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Barry,   We do have a rich and diverse nation and it is true that our country is full of a variety of faith traditions.  That’s what makes America so unique.   Unfortunately, our government leaders don’t always listen to the American people.  That’s exactly what happened just days ago on Capitol Hill when the…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":163,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6,8,217,172],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-247","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-abortion","category-congress","category-health-care","category-pro-life-2"],"yoast_head":"\nHealth Care & Abortion: Part 2 - Lynn v. 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FEC, Sekulow ensured that the constitutional rights of young people remain protected with a unanimous decision by the high court guaranteeing that minors can participate in political campaigns. A nationally recognized and respected defender of religious freedom, Sekulow has assembled one of the most prestigious law firms in the nation.  Founded in 1990, the American Center for Law and Justice focuses in constitutional law.  The ACLJ, under Sekulow's direction, is involved in public interest and public policy issues working to protect religious and constitutional liberties. In 2007, the Chicago Tribune concluded that the ACLJ has \"led the way\" in Christian legal advocacy.  In 2005, TIME Magazine named Sekulow one of the \"25 Most Influential Evangelicals\" in America and called the ACLJ \"a powerful counterweight\" to the ACLU.  Business Week said the ACLJ is \"the leading advocacy group for religious freedom.\"  Sekulow's work on the issue of judicial nominees - including possible vacancies at the Supreme Court - has received extensive news coverage including a front page story in The Wall Street Journal.  In addition, The National Law Journal has twice named Sekulow one of the \"100 Most Influential Lawyers\" in the United States (1994, 1997).  He is also among a distinguished group of attorneys known as \"The Public Sector 45\" named by The American Lawyer (January\/February 1997).  The magazine said the designation represents \"45 young lawyers outside the private sector whose vision and commitment are changing lives.\" Sekulow brings insight and education to listeners daily with his national call-in radio program, Jay Sekulow Live!, which is broadcast throughout the country on nearly 850 radio stations.  Sekulow also hosts a weekly television program, ACLJ This Week, which tackles the tough issues of the day and is broadcast on a number of networks nationwide including the Trinity Broadcasting Network and FamilyNet.  Sekulow is also a popular guest on nationally televised news programs on ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, FOX News, MSNBC, CNBC, and PBS.  He frequently contributes articles and commentary to national publications and is often quoted in the nation's leading newspapers including USA Today, New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, and Washington Times. A graduate of Mercer University, Sekulow graduated cum laude receiving both a bachelor's degree and doctor of jurisprudence from Mercer University where he served on the Mercer Law Review as an editorial staff member.  Following graduation, Sekulow served as a tax trial attorney in the Office of Chief Counsel for the Internal Revenue Service.  In that capacity, Sekulow prepared and brought to trial tax cases on behalf of the United States Department of Treasury in United States Tax Court. He also received a Ph.D. from Regent University, with a dissertation on American Legal History, and is the author of numerous publications and law articles. 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