HHS would gain the authority to regulate insurance. States currently hold this power but with the current Senate bill, that power shifts to the federal government. This would allow the federal government to implement restrictions and changes that could destabilize the private insurance market by forcing companies to lower premiums and other charges.

Who exactly is Secretary Sebelius and do we really trust her with this much power?

Although she is relatively new to the national political scene, Sebelius has been building her political base in Democratic politics for over 3 decades beginning as the executive director and chief lobbyist for the Kansas Trial Lawyers Association for 9 years.  Secretary Sebelius followed that up with 8 years in the Kansas House and another 8 as Kansas Insurance Commissioner before being elected as the second female Governor in the state.

Sebelius cast herself as a centralist who works across party lines to get things done and has worked hard to court moderate Republicans.  She personally recruited Republicans to switch party and run as Democrats.  Among those is current Kansas Governor Mark Parkinson, who succeeded her upon her confirmation as HHS Secretary earlier this year.

Sebelius career has not been without controversy.  She governed with a “my way or the highway attitude” when it came to her allies.  As Governor, Sebelius vetoed bills authorizing the construction of coal-fired power plants on three separate occasions.  Governor Parkinson was able to broker a deal allowing for the development of a new coal-powered power plant within months of coming into office.

Planned Parenthood and the abortion industry have played a major role in her career.  She has been and remains an ardent supporter of abortion on demand and has continuously resisted any efforts to strengthen and enforce existing laws concerning abortion in the state.  Among her contributors is the late George Tiller who donated tens of thousands of dollar to her campaign and political action committee over the years.

Sebelius failed to support a 2005 defense of marriage amendment to the Kansas Constitution that made it unconstitutional for the state to recognize same-sex marriage which passed with over 70% of the voters.

One of her most public embarrassments was the resignation of Kansas Attorney General Paul Morrison in 2008.  Sebelius had personally recruited Morrison to abandon the Republican Party to run against Incumbent Phill Kline after he had investigated Sebelius’ allies in connection with possible cases of child rape and illegal partial-birth and late-term abortions.

While we still do not know the outcome of any health care reform legislation, one thing is clear.  We know enough about HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius to question her ability to make good judgments and to amass the power that will be delegated to the agency should the existing legislation gain passage in Congress and become law.

In a recent interview with ABC News, he stated his objection to language in the recently passed House health care bill that would strictly limit the purchasing of insurance policies that cover abortion.

The President stated that the bill should be changed so that “we’re not changing the status quo.” “I want to make sure that the provision that emerges meets that test,” he said, “that we are not in some way sneaking in funding for abortions, but, on the other hand, that we’re not restricting women’s insurance choices.”

In a related story, Rep. Lynn Woolsey is criticizing the United States Council of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) for their efforts to push support for the Stupak amendment and prohibitions against taxpayer funded abortion.  Her statement suggest that the IRS should look more closely at efforts to influence legislation; not just elections.

Both of these stories highlight that fact that the funding of abortion in the health care reform debate is far from over.  This is could end up being the one issue that leads to the failure of any meaningful health care reform.  As the negotiation drag on and we get closer and closer to the mid-term elections, we can expect to see the most vulnerable on both sides of the aisle begin to weigh their decisions and support in terms of their re-electability.

Rep. Bart Stupak (D- MI) has proposed  an amendment that specifically addresses the pro-life concerns on abortion funding and conscience rights.  The Catholic Bishops are encouraging support for this amendment.

This is not the first time that Catholic Bishops have participated in the health care debate.  Like previous documents, this one will be attacked with the same tired arguments; that religion has no place in the debate, that Catholics cannot even clean up their own house or that they should lose their tax-exempt status.

However, one should also remember that the Catholic Church and other faith based organizations provide much of the free and reduced health care in the country today.  To deny them a place at the reform table is to exclude some of the most passionate supporters for health care reform as well as some of the most experienced provider organizations.  The Catholic Church considers the “Right to Health Care” as a fundamental right of all individuals.

The big question is how far is Speaker Pelosi willing to go?  Is she willing to alienate the pro-life members of her party and risk the entire health care reform bill in order to appease the pro-choice fringe on the left?  The Democratic leadership should have the courage allow the health care debate to move forward and not let the abortion lobby risk the health care of millions of Americans solely to push funding for abortion.

On the 36th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, we are reminded that this decision not only protects women’s health and reproductive freedom, but stands for a broader principle: that government should not intrude on our most private family matters. I remain committed to protecting a woman’s right to choose.

While this is a sensitive and often divisive issue, no matter what our views, we are united in our determination to prevent unintended pregnancies, reduce the need for abortion, and support women and families in the choices they make. To accomplish these goals, we must work to find common ground to expand access to affordable contraception, accurate health information, and preventative services.

On this anniversary, we must also recommit ourselves more broadly to ensuring that our daughters have the same rights and opportunities as our sons: the chance to attain a world-class education; to have fulfilling careers in any industry; to be treated fairly and paid equally for their work; and to have no limits on their dreams. That is what I want for women everywhere.

Nothing in this statement should surprise or disappoint pro-life Obama supporters. He has stated time and again that he intends to fully support abortion at any time and for any reason. In his mind, the will of the mother always trumps the life of the child.

This is an excellent opportunity to shine a spotlight on the extreme views of the pro-abortion crowd. With each new anti-life resolution, executive order and agency directive, we have a chance to educate the public on the dangers of these policies and the views of those in elected and appointed positions. Keep the faith!

Being a man who loves the women in my life; my wife, daughters and mother, I was particularly interested in the section on Women.   There are many wonderful initiatives that I will definitely support and I hope many get enacted quickly.  For example, improving the nation’s health care system and fighting cancer has the potential to improve the quality of life for all of us.

However, the administration is also way off base on several initiatives.

• Stem Cell Research -  The support of embryonic stem cell research is offering false hope at best and immoral at worst.  The statement on the website says that the “embryos must be deemed to be in excess”.  This statement assumes that some embryos are important and worthy of life and others are just extra that we do with as we wish. What is the criteria that would allow one to determine that an embryo is excess and can be used in medical experiments?
• A Women’s Right to Choose –   The agenda on the website states that the President “respects those that disagree with him”.  He should act on the feeling of respect and allow the individual states the opportunity to allow or regulate abortion within their borders.  As a diverse nation, we are a society with varying degrees of morality, norms and values.  The Roe v. Wade decision is bad law and should be overturned in his first term.
• Prevention First Act – The website states that this act “will also end insurance discrimination against contraception, improve awareness about emergency contraception, and provide compassionate assistance to rape victims.”  That is a real feel good description!  However, the act actually does a little more than that.  It would prohibit health insurance plans from excluding coverage for birth control drugs and devices.  It would force hospitals that receive any federal funds to give out the morning after pill to women who have been raped without telling them that it can sometimes cause an abortion. 

As a country we can do better!  We must do better than to tell our daughters, sisters, wives and mothers that the best America has to offer is the “right’ to murder their children.  We need to protect and defend women; not further victimize them!