Virginia Society for Human Life is extremely pleased that the members of the Virginia General Assembly have taken the important step to protect the taxpayers of Virginia from being forced to pay for abortions in insurance plans under the newly created federal health care exchanges. During Wednesday ’s veto session the Senate voted 20 to 19 in favor of the amendment sent down from pro-life Governor Bob McDonnell. The same amendment passed in the House of Delegates 55 to 37.
Gov. McDonnell’s amendment is respectful of where most Virginians and Americans stand on the question of taxpayer funding of abortions. The amendment is an extension of existing law that prevents Virginia tax funds from paying for abortion in any insurance plans sold under the new federal health care law. The original law passed in 2011 was set to expire in July 1, 2014.
Federal law allows the states to create protective provisions such as the one contained in the Governor’s amendment. The amendment does not prevent an individual from using their own resources to obtain an abortion. It simply insures that insurance plans sold in Virginia and funded with public monies will not pay for abortions on demand.
“Without this amendment, starting in 2014 Virginians would have been forced to pay for all abortions on demand done in the Commonwealth through the new federal health care law,” said Olivia Gans Turner, president of Virginia Society for Human Life. “Virginia taxpayers owe a debt of gratitude to Governor McDonnell and the General Assembly for taking this reasonable action.”