by Steve Whitmer

Created on: October 02, 2009   Last Updated: October 05, 2009

It is a pretty safe bet that when the word "abortion" is mentioned, one's emotional center is tapped into and the mind becomes flooded with arguments based on population control, moral beliefs, baby vs. tissue mass, ruined lives, blessed lives, future health care expenses, and probably a dozen more. While all of these arguments are compelling on either side (let's face it-if they weren't, we wouldn't have this ongoing debate), when considering the question, it is important to understand what it is asking. The question specifically addresses the use of federal subsidies for plans that cover elective abortions.

First let's take a brief moment and look at federal subsidies, the source of the money. At this point federal subsidies are monies that are borrowed by the federal government from the federal reserve (a private entity consisting of private banks with minimal governmental oversight), the interest (not the principle-the interest) on which is collected from the taxpayers (us) in the form of taxes. That is the source of the federal subsidies.

While I don't agree with the source of money that has been established and controlled by bankers in this country (it is a money maker for a few, and a ridiculous expense for the masses), I believe there are many places that money must be spent, regardless of its source. Currently the funding of health care as a great problem of public policy in our country. We are at a crossroads that will greatly impact the future care for the well being of our progeny, as well as the future financial well being of our progeny and our country as a whole. This necessitates great care when developing public policy.

Now let's look at the second part of the question. This is the part that makes my 'no' so easy. Plans should not cover elective anything. If the question had been "Under a new health care plan, should federal insurance subsidies be used for plans that cover elective tummy tucks?" there would be a shortage of entries in the yes column, I have no doubt. The fact is, elective procedures should be funded by the individual, or if there are private groups that feel so strongly about the need for individuals to have those elective procedures, then these private groups can fund those elective procedures. There could be a "Tummy Tuck Foundation" that could fund all of the tummy tucks it desires, as it is private money. Likewise, there could be and "Abortion Foundation" that can fund all of the abortions that it desires. I have no beef with how private individuals spend private money, as long as it is legal and ethical.

The interest on public money (remember, not even the principle) comes from a public that has no extra money. Therefore, elective procedures should not be funded with public money. I believe right now we should focus our attention on how we are going to fund necessary procedures that are breaking the back of the people and the health care system.

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