WASHINGTON- In light of recent reports detailing plans by several states to use high-risk pool health plans funded by federal taxpayer dollars under President Obama's health care law to offer abortion services, Ohio House GOP members yesterday urged Governor Ted Strickland (D) to assure Ohioans that the final plan to be submitted by the State of Ohio will not include elective abortion as a covered benefit.
In the letter, House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-West Chester) joined with Congressmen Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green), Steve LaTourette (R-Bainbridge), Pat Tiberi (R-Genoa Township), Jean Schmidt (R-Loveland), Michael Turner (R-Centerville), Jim Jordan (R-Urbana), and Steve Austria (R-Beavercreek) expressing concern over reports that several states have submitted - and the Obama administration initially approved - plans to create taxpayer-funded high-risk pool health plans under ObamaCare that would cover elective abortions. The Obama administration has since backpedaled and said it will not approve such state plans. But given the mixed messages sent last week by the Administration and significant public opposition to taxpayer funding of abortion, the Ohio legislators are seeking assurances from Gov. Strickland that Ohio's own plan - which has not yet been finalized, according to state officials - will not include elective abortion as benefit.
"Ohioans were misled by the Obama Administration about the cost of the President's health care legislation, and they cannot be misled again when it comes to this unconscionable use of taxpayer dollars," the representatives write. "Your voice as Governor is needed to help ensure that not a dime of the $152 million in federal funds Ohio is set to receive for its high-risk pool plan goes toward covering abortions. We ask that you assure Ohioans that Ohio will not seek to use funds from the President's health care law to fund abortions."
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