Roundup: The Great Debate Is Not Much of a Debate

Mar 16, 2010, 10:02am

Robin Marty

National Republic accidentally argues against their own abortion regulations, and a banana a day may keep HIV away.

Once again, I get to say it’s almost over. Rep. Stupak (D-MI) admits his much discussed anti-choice Democratic voting block is beginning to crumble, something we were pretty sure we knew once Rep. Oberstar (D-MN) said he would vote for healthcare reform regardless of the abortion language. The bill should pass soon, without the additional onerous abortion language (although still with the initial onerous Hyde Amendment in place). But crossing the T’s and dotting the i’s won’t stop the incessant debate over abortion, especially the newest fight over whether better healthcare increases or decreases abortion rates.

Let’s review the two sides quickly:

Universal healthcare would NOT decrease the abortion rate

According to Michael New at National Review Online, abortion rates would not fall with better healthcare because Tennessee had wonderful state sponsored healthcare, and their abortion rate fell much more slowly than the country average. Then of course, there is his standard anti-choice argument: “Government sponsored plans will make states less able to cut off women’s access to abortion as much as they want.”

First there is plenty of evidence that government subsidies for abortion increase abortion rates. Second, if abortion becomes a federally mandated benefit, that could jeopardize a number of state-level pro-life laws — including parental-involvement and informed-consent laws. Finally, one reason why the abortion rate in the United States has fallen is the substantial decline in the number of abortion providers. A steady flow of federal funds to abortion providers could stem or even reverse this trend.

So, things that reduce abortion rates according to New are parental notification, informed consent and fewer providers? Why, Tennessee has ALL of those! According to him, they should be far above the average when it comes to falling abortion rates, not way behind.

Universal healthcare WOULD decrease the abortion rate

T.R. Reid explained in yesterday’s Washington Post the various ways better access to healthcare would reduce the need for abortion.

In Britain, only 8 percent of the population is Catholic (compared with 25 percent in the United States). Abortion there is legal. Abortion is free. And yet British women have fewer abortions than Americans do. I asked Cardinal Hume why that is.

The cardinal said that there were several reasons but that one important explanation was Britain’s universal health-care system. “If that frightened, unemployed 19-year-old knows that she and her child will have access to medical care whenever it’s needed,” Hume explained, “she’s more likely to carry the baby to term. Isn’t it obvious?”

A young woman I knew in Britain added another explanation. “If you’re [sexually] active,” she said, “the way to avoid abortion is to avoid pregnancy. Most of us do that with an IUD or a diaphragm. It means going to the doctor. But that’s easy here, because anybody can go to the doctor free.”

For various reasons, then, expanding health-care coverage reduces the rate of abortion.

Do you hear that, Mr. New? Stopping abortion by preventing unplanned pregnancies before they occur. I bet Tennessee could use a little of that.

Mini-Roundup: Dare I say it? This is BANANAS! Could it lead to making HIV infection split?

(You can feel free to groan…)

March 15, 2010

Bill’s use of taxpayer money for abortions under debate – Rapid City Journal

Doocy falsely suggested Senate bill allows for federal “funding for abortion” – Media Matters for America

Should state enforce law requiring parental notification of abortion? – Chicago Daily Herald

‘Respect Choice’ License Plate Legislation Heads to Governor – Sun Gazette

Polish women ‘flouting abortion rules’ – The Press Association

Judge to hear arguments today on abortion notification law – Chicago Breaking News – Tribune

Few people buy abortion coverage – Fort Wayne Journal Gazette

Outlook: Could ignoring abortion cost Republicans the midterms? – Washington Post