Social conservatives have succeeded. The Senate passed a
spending bill Saturday that contains a clause stating that taxpayer
funds will not be withheld from health care providers who do not
undergo abortion training.
In essence, any health care provider who believes abortion is
unconscionable does not have to perform, counsel or even refer
patients to abortion clinics. The provision previously applied
solely to doctors.
The clause was cleverly written into a must-pass spending bill.
Had the legislation not passed, funds would have run out for
agencies such as the FBI and the Environmental Protection
Agency.
The lack of abortion referrals and counseling are the most
troubling parts of the bill. Especially in the awkward situation of
an unwanted pregnancy, everyone is entitled to as much information
as is available. Whether the counselor believes in abortion, it is
essential that the option be shared.
Though the new spending does not prohibit such action, it does
not fiscally punish it either. It even goes so far as to say it is
protecting pro-life individuals from
“discrimination”.
With no encouragement to behave in a responsible, informational
manner, there is no reason to believe that vehement pro-life
advocates will do so. This has already been proven in numerous
cases where pharmacists have refused to provide the morning-after
pill, even to rape victims.