The issue of taxpayer funding of abortion took center stage at the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court on Wednesday.
At issue is a case working its way through the state courts which could scrap the Keystone State’s long-standing ban on Medicaid-funded abortions.
Currently in Pennsylvania, Medicaid will only pay for abortions in the rare cases of life of the mother, rape, and incest. But the abortion industry wants not only to force taxpayers to pay for abortions–they want to declare a so-called right to abortion under the PA Constitution. Such a declaration could nullify Pennsylvania’s protective laws with regard to safeguarding pregnant women and their babies, such as the 24 hour waiting period for abortion, parental consent for abortion, and informed consent for abortion.
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The PA Attorney General’s office, which is intervening in the case, is arguing for there to be fact-finding and a trial which would explore the many issues surrounding taxpayer funding of abortion. The AG notes the harm the physical and emotional harm that can befall women, the right to life of the unborn baby, and the conscience rights of taxpayers who do not want to pay for the taking of an innocent human life through tax-funded abortions.
The PA Supreme Court ordered the case back to the Commonwealth Court, which is grappling with how best to respond. Democrats hold a 5-2 majority on the Supreme Court and the three justices up for retention in Tuesday’s election all won their races. The taxpayer funding of abortion case will ultimately end up back at the Supreme Court for final disposition.
The Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation has filed a friend-of-the court brief in the case, arguing strongly against taxpayer funding of abortion. Public opinion polls consistently show that the vast majority of Americans do not want their hard-earned tax dollars to pay for such an egregious practice.
LifeNews.com Note: Maria Gallagher is the Executive Director and Political Action Committee Director for the Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation and she has written and reported for various broadcast and print media outlets, including National Public Radio, CBS Radio, and AP Radio.
