Senate Adopts Amendment Reaffirming That Indian Health Service Cannot Pay For Abortion Services In Most Cases

Main Category: Abortion
Also Included In: Women's Health / Gynecology
Article Date: 03 Mar 2008 - 0:00 PDT

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The Senate on Tuesday adopted an amendment to the Indian Health Care Improvement Act reauthorization bill (S 1200) sponsored by Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) Indian Health Service that would prohibit the Indian Health Service from paying for abortion services in most cases, the New Orleans Times-Picayune reports. The amendment, which was approved 52-42, would prohibit IHS from paying for such services except to save the life of the pregnant woman, or in cases of rape or incest involving a minor, according to the Times-Picayune.

Vitter offered the amendment despite the fact that federal law already prohibits the financing of abortion services through IHS. Vitter said that he is concerned future presidents could change the policy, the Times-Picayune reports. "My amendment codifies a long-standing policy that prohibits the use of federal dollars for abortions," Vitter said.

Vitter's amendment passed with the support of nine Democratic votes, including Sen. Mary Landrieu (La.) and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (Nev.). Landrieu spokesperson Stephanie Allen said the senator has consistently supported alternatives to abortion, particularly adoption. "She has also supported current federal laws that prohibit federal funding from being used for abortions," Allen said, adding that Vitter's amendment "clarifies that this long-standing policy applies to Indian Health Service funds and facilities."

Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) expressed concern about a provision that says no IHS funds can be used to "provide, or pay any administrative costs of, any health benefits coverage, that includes coverage of an abortion." He said, "I don't understand what that means with respect to facilities or other issues," adding that the amendment should have been subject to a public hearing. Vitter later said that the language is an effort to ensure that health providers do not use benefits from IHS to settle costs of performing abortions. He also called Dorgan's question "disingenuous," saying he had explained the amendment to Dorgan three weeks ago, the Times-Picayune reports.

Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council said, "The majority of the Senate has now shown that they agree with most Americans that government funding of abortion is morally wrong." However, Planned Parenthood Federation of America President Cecile Richards said the Vitter amendment is a "political tactic" because it replicates current federal policy. Richards added, "If Sen. Vitter is serious about preventing unintended pregnancies, he would support prevention legislation that invests in family planning programs."

Later Tuesday, the Senate voted 83-10 to approve the Indian Health Care Improvement Act reauthorization bill. The bill would authorize $35 billion over the next decade for IHS to expand health coverage and services for about 1.8 million American Indians and Alaska Natives (Alpert, New Orleans Times-Picayune, 2/27).

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