House GOP Looks to Tax Code to Curb Abortions
- Posted on March 31, 2011 at 7:20am by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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WASHINGTON (AP) — House Republicans are trying to use the tax code to curb abortions by limiting tax breaks for insurance policies that cover the procedure.
The House Ways and Means Committee is scheduled to vote on a bill Thursday that would prevent taxpayers from deducting the cost of an abortion from their taxable income. It would also prevent small businesses and taxpayers from using tax credits in the new health care law to provide or pay for insurance policies that cover the procedure.
If women pay for an abortion using tax-free income that had been set aside in a heath savings account, the money would have to be reported as taxable income. There would be exceptions for cases of rape or incest, or if a physician certifies that a woman‘s life would be in danger if she doesn’t terminate her pregnancy.
Federal law already prohibits federal funding for abortion, with the same exceptions listed in the bill. The new health care law, which was nearly derailed by the highly charged issue, creates state marketplaces for insurance called exchanges. The law allows plans in the exchanges to cover abortions, as long as they collect a separate premium from policy holders and that money is kept apart from federal subsidies.
Republicans were united in opposing the new health care law. Now, with their efforts to repeal it stalled in the Democratic-controlled Senate, they are attacking it piece-by-piece. House GOP leaders support the effort to limit tax breaks that help fund abortions, but the bill faces strong opposition in the Senate.
Supporters say the bill is necessary because current law doesn’t go far enough in ensuring that no tax money is used to subsidize abortions.
“We’re just trying to have a very clear line of demarcation on where our taxpayer funds may be used for abortion,” said Rep. Dave Camp, R-Mich., chairman of the Ways and Means Committee. “It’s really using the tax code and taxpayer dollars to assist with the procurement of abortion, and we‘re going to make sure that doesn’t happen.”
Opponents say the bill would make it difficult, if not impossible, for many women to obtain medical coverage that covers abortions — even if they pay for it with their own money.
“This is overkill plus, and the purpose of it escapes me,” said Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., a member of the committee. “We’re debating an issue that is so inconsequential to the lives of most Americans. I will not support this. I‘m annoyed that we’re even taking time on the Ways and Means Committee to do something that’s obviously very ideological and has nothing to do with the health care bill, and nothing really to do with taxes or getting people back to work.”
By law, taxpayers can deduct medical expenses that exceed 7.5 percent of their adjusted gross income, a threshold that increases to 10 percent in 2013. They can also set side tax-free money in health savings accounts, and spend it on approved medical expenses. The Internal Revenue Service currently lists the cost of an abortion as an approved medical expense.
Donna Crane, policy director for NARAL Pro-Choice America, said she is concerned the bill would cause insurance companies in state exchanges to drop abortion coverage, making it unavailable, even for women who pay their own premiums. She is also concerned the bill would put the IRS in the awkward position of determining whether women who get abortions were sexually assaulted, so it can decide whether the procedure is tax-deductible.
“It would be an alarming new responsibility for the IRS,” Crane said.
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the hawk
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 3:43pmHey WHAT EVER IT TAKES !
Report Post »Gypsy123
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 2:20pmWell we could quit paying our taxes I wonder if they could put us all in jail?
Report Post »teapartychristiannc
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 9:22amI am a mother of 10 yes 10 beautiful children no im not on welfare i had them because we wanted them. People need to find there morals. Dotn want kids take precautions. Theres also adoptions. Its just to easy to be a tramp nowadays, both men and women. To much sex everywhere and there tryin to teach kids nowadays that its fine. when my daughter was in kindergarten 6yrs ago i was shocked when she came home to tell me that a girl in her class said she was gay and wanted to have sex with my daughter. What does that tell you of this world today?
Report Post »Leadthemtothelight
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 8:22amPerhaps if the laws of this land weren’t so convoluted politicians would not need tax reform to curb abortions. Personally I believe abortion is murder and I will meet my God with a clean conscience. I do believe that everyone has the right to choose what they do to their own body or child. I do find it disgusting that in my state (GA) that if my teenage daughter gets pregant she can go to planned parenthood and they will help her get court consent and have an abortion without my consent or having informed me of her decision. Where are parental rights here?
Report Post »LadyIzShy
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 8:04amthe idea is stupid dont make the tax law MORE complicated.. scrap them and go for a flat tax with NO exceptions you earn it you pay it.. no loop holes no deductions no credits.. NOTHING if GE didnt pay taxes and peopel who paid no taxes get thousands back there is a REAL problem..
I am against abortion I just dont see this as the way to go
Report Post »Creestof
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 7:34amMore nonsense.
Treat the root cause of the problem…not just the ending result. Get back to a moral society. Get rid of the makeup, clothes, music videos, ads and so on…which portray 13 year old girls like they were 20.
Time for parents to start parenting again…and stop trying to be “best friends” with their kids.
Report Post »Uncle Sambo
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 7:31amDon’t get me wrong. I am against abortion but…
Report Post »Aren’t the Republicans using the tax code like the Democrats to modify behavior and limit personal freedom? It seems to have the same stink as the tobacco taxes and sugar taxes regularly espoused by the ENEMY. I don’t think I could support it.
skoz14
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 7:55amthey are the same they have always been the same
Report Post »teddrunk
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 8:25amOne slight difference, they’re trying to curb MURDER.
Report Post »HillBillySam1
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 9:35amCongress should use any means necessary to stop abortions. Our beloved Dear Leader said that NO tax federal tax dollars would be used to fund abortions. Using the tax code to enforce our Aborter-In-Chief’s sweet wishes should be the job of Congress. How much money has already been spent on the 55 million “inconsequential” abortions since Roe vs. Wade was decided?
Report Post »Motherforlife
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 9:49amAbortion is the ultimate limit on “personal freedom”. The right/freedom to life is paramount to everything else. The whole point of law is to “modify behavior” in order to protect the citizens (i.e. You kill someone you go to jail. or If you are part of the mafia, you may not deduct your gun as a work expense.) Furthermore, abortion is not being taxed like tobacco where taxes are enhanced to make more money and “deter” people from smoking; it is simply being treated equally with other unnecessary medical procedures such as a face lift.
Report Post »sWampy
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 11:28amYou have to try something, waiting 2 years letting millions of lives get flushed down the drain, isn’t an acceptable option. If only our churches had had a backbone over the last 40 years, maybe we wouldn’t be a laughing stock now. ;-(
Report Post »AmericasContract
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 3:56pmI suppose they are modifying behavior in that they are making it harder to obtain an abortion, but really you could use that argument for anything that’s expensive (Porche is limiting my freedom to buy one of their vehicles…). At the same time, their choices are not limited, nor are they being taxed – if a person wants an abortion, then fine – then they must do it with their own money. Not your insurance company’s money and not with taxpayers funds.
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