Anyone who has been following the healthcare debate has noticed that reproductive and abortion rights have been used as a means to detract debate away from affordable healthcare. Often, individuals have made the argument that if they do not agree with abortion, then they should not have their tax dollars pay for it. This argument is a frustrating one. Why is it only with abortion that taxpayers should be able to opt out of funding something that they are against? I am a pacifist and would prefer to not fund military operations. The argument is flawed considering that abortion is a LEGAL medical procedure (which people often forget) in addition to the fact that taxpayers often have their money go toward funding areas to which they are opposed. Should taxpayers be able to determine what their taxes fund, even if it is legal?
Jay Smooth, the Center for Reproductive Rights, and other bloggers created this PSA to discuss this very issue. While it specifically addresses the Hyde Amendment, I believe it raises valid questions about the status of abortion rights in the United States and how millions of low income women and families are disproportionately affected when abortions are not accessible and low cost.
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