Spike in federally-funded abortions in Illinois triggers investigation
- Oct 7, 2008 - 3
For three decades, Congress has barred federal taxpayer dollars from directly subsidizing abortions under Medicaid, with few exceptions such as for instances of rape or incest, or to save the life of the mother. A recent spike in abortions under the rape exception, however, has many lawmakers demanding more information.
In 2005, the government funded 150 abortions in 21 states for the three rare instances covered under Medicaid—rape, incest, or to save the life of the mother. In 2006, that number jumped to 196 before more than doubling in 2007 to 458.
What’s most perplexing is that the spike is confined to a single state, Illinois. Among the 368 abortions reported under Medicaid for rape victims, 363 took place in Illinois, a sharp rise that began with 20 in 2005, quadrupled to 84 in 2006, and then quadrupled again in 2007. The state with the second highest tally last year, Minnesota, reported just three abortions from rape. The remaining states had just a combined two.
A pro-life bloc of Congress is understandably concerned about this spike in rape-related abortions in Illinois. In June, Reps. Chris Smith (R-NJ) and Bart Stupak (D-MI) sent a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt asking whether the Illinois abortions funded with taxpayer dollars were in fact performed on women who were victims of rape. More than three months after calling for an investigative probe into the rape-related abortion spike, the duo still await answers.
The coalition of two has now swelled to more than 80. On Sept. 26, 83 congressmen sent Secretary Leavitt a follow up letter calling the “dramatic increase surprising, especially since corollary increases do not appear in any other state.” The congressmen requested “detailed information” by Oct. 26.
Every year since 1976, Congress has renewed the Hyde Amendment—a trademark of former Republican Rep. Henry Hyde, who died last year—prohibiting taxpayer dollars from paying for most abortions. The late pro-life champion, a 32-year representative of the people of western Chicago-land, would undoubtedly wonder about the reported increases in rape-related abortions in his state.
These 83 congressmen are to be commended for noticing this strange spike in rape-related abortions in Illinois. Holding true to the trust that the American taxpayers have placed in them, they have rightly asked for clarification. Secretary Leavitt should act immediately in response to their questions. The American people deserve to know with assurance that not a dime of their money is underwriting abortions in breach of the law.
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3 comments (post your own) feed
1 On Oct 7th, 2008, at 3:10pm, Paul wrote:
Does anyone find it peculiar that this odd spike in suposed “rape” related abortions comes from the home state of the Presidential candidate that supported LIVE birth abortions by voting against the ban 3 times?
Henry Hyde is turning in his grave.
2 On Oct 8th, 2008, at 7:27pm, Joi Wasill wrote:
If Obama wins, we won’t see this rape-excuse as abortion will be standard fare medical procedure. He is an absolute radical on this issue. And it isn’t Henry Hyde we need to be worried about offending--- how does God feel about the slaughter of innocent babies for 35 years in America?
3 On Oct 14th, 2008, at 5:37pm, Wayne E. Borngesser wrote:
“The American people deserve to know with assurance that not a dime of their money is underwriting abortions in breach of the law.”
WHAT?! How am I, or any real Christian being ASSURED that money coerced by force and illegally gathered,[according to God’s Law and the Constitution of the United States] is being used to murder children? How does that assure me? Am I not aiding and abetting murder? And how will that look when I meet my maker face to face? Will I say I “followed the law?” I thought I was a new creature, who obeyed God and NOT man, especially as it applies to MURDER?! This article is a sick joke that skirts the real issue.