Military Hospitals: A Place To Heal; Not Kill

by Rep. Todd Aikin | June 18, 2010 10:42 am

Last month, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued a report finding that the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States, Advocates for Youth, the Guttmacher Institute, and the Population Council — all organizations that promote or provide abortions – have spent nearly $1 billion dollars in taxpayer funds since 2002.

Two-thirds of Americans do not want their tax dollars to underwrite other people’s abortions. Yet, some Members of Congress appear to be launching an all out assault on pre-born children — and they want to use our money to do it.

Not only does the new health care “reform” legislation allow direct federal funding of abortions in community health centers, but now military doctors may be asked to perform abortions on base.

On May 27, 2010, in the Senate Armed Services Committee, Senator Roland Burris (D-IL) offered an amendment to the FY2011 National Defense Authorization Act to strike Section 1093(b) of Title 10. The amendment, which passed by a vote of 15-12, will permit the performance of abortions in both domestic and overseas military facilities.

Under current law, the U.S. Military will not pay for an abortion and abortions may not be performed at military health care facilities — except in the case of rape, incest, or to save the life of the mother.

I firmly believe that military treatment centers — which are dedicated to healing and caring for life — should not facilitate the taking of the most innocent human life: a child in the womb.

The U.S. House of Representatives has repeatedly rejected changes to the current life-affirming policy. If Senator Burris’s amendment remains in the defense authorization legislation, I, and my pro-life colleagues will have no choice but to oppose it. Expanding abortion in government owned and operated military medical facilities is simply unconscionable and morally unacceptable.

This week, I have invited my colleagues to join me in sending a letter to House and Senate Leadership opposing the Burris amendment. The Defense Authorization bill is about supporting our troops and providing for the defense of our nation — it should not be used as a vehicle for expanding abortion on demand.

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