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Activists blast compromise on abortion

The GOP also derides Obama's order affirming bans on public funding for the procedures.

By ERICA WERNER The Associated Press

WASHINGTON — A last-minute compromise that swung six anti-abortion Democrats behind President Obama's health care bill -- virtually ensuring its passage -- failed to placate outside activists on either side of the issue, and drew derision from Republicans.

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Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Mich., who led anti-abortion legislators, announces Sunday that he would vote to pass the health care reform bill.

The Associated Press

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Rep. Bart Stupak, leader of the anti-abortion bloc, said he was satisfied with an executive order issued by Obama affirming prohibitions in current law and in the health legislation against taxpayer money going to abortions.

"Make no doubt about it. There will be no public funds for abortion," Stupak, D-Mich., said in announcing the agreement Sunday ahead of a vote on the landmark health care bill.

The National Right to Life Committee quickly issued a scathing statement disputing Stupak's claim.

"The executive order promised by President Obama was issued for political effect. It changes nothing," the group said. "It does not correct any of the serious pro-abortion provisions in the bill."

The powerful Catholic bishops weren't on board, either.

"Without seeing the details of the executive order, our conclusion has been that an executive order cannot override or change the central problems in the statute. Those need a legislative fix," said Richard Doerflinger, associate director of the bishops' conference's Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities.

The bishops contend that the legislation before the House on Sunday allows federal funding of abortion.

The bill tries to maintain a strict separation between taxpayer funds and private premiums that would pay for abortion coverage. No health plan would be required to offer coverage for the procedure. In plans that do cover abortion, beneficiaries would have to pay for it separately, and those funds would have to be kept in a separate account from taxpayer money.

Moreover, individual states would be able to prohibit abortion coverage in plans offered through a new purchasing exchange. Exceptions would be made for cases of rape, incest and danger to the mother's life.

Abortion foes contend that the separation of funds is an accounting gimmick, and in reality taxpayers would be paying for abortion because health plans that cover abortion would be getting federal money.