January 22nd marks the 38th anniversary of Roe v. Wade and hundreds of Americans braved the cold to participate in the “March for Life” rally held in Washington, D.C. House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R) released a statement in support of their effort stating that:
Today, thousands of Americans will join together in the March for Life to highlight our shared belief in the principle that the right to life is universal and not reserved only for the planned. I applaud all those who will march today on our national Mall, even in these cold temperatures, to stand up for those who cannot stand up for themselves.[....]
First of all, abortion rates in the US overall have been on a consistent decline since 1974, including Mr. Cantor’s state of Virginia. In fact, Virginia’s rate of decline by county is even more revealing. Reduction of abortion in the US is doing just fine without government intervention. Where government should be involved in this issue is stopping the horrific violence perpetrated by anti-abortion extremists that includes murder, arson, acid attacks and more. [....]
Second, whatever happened to “keep government out of our personal lives?” For Republicans, that seems to only apply when it does not involve an issue that will stir up their party base. It is not a stretch to recognize that Mr. Cantor’s high profile on abortion is just more politics aimed at dismantling the Affordable Care Act because he realizes he will not win the battle of repeal.
Mr. Cantor should address the Affordable Care Act on its merits and not insult the American people by using the issue of abortion.
If you live in Virginia’s 7th District, represented by Mr. Cantor, you should read the impact of repealing the Affordable Care Act and then call Mr. Cantor and ask him why. (Richmond 804.747-4073, Culpeper 540.825-8960). Ask Mr. Cantor:
- If you are a small business owner, how will eliminating health care tax credits help your bottom line?
- If you have a pre-existing condition, how will going back to letting insurance companies deny you coverage help you?
- And what about the fact that health insurance investors disagree with Mr. Cantor and the GOP? Investors are very optimistic about the Affordable Care Act, saying that it is industry-friendly, a stabilizer, and with tangible potential growth!
When you make that call, keep in mind that Mr. Cantor and his family enjoy the cadillac of federally funded/run health care programs — that your tax dollars pay for — and you don’t. Here’s the impact of repeal to Virginia’s 7th Congressional District:
“This analysis describes the impact of repeal of the Affordable Care Act in the 7th Congressional District of Virginia, which is represented by Rep. Eric Cantor. It finds that repeal of the health reform law would have significant consequences in the district by:
- Allowing insurance companies to deny coverage to 131,000 to 334,000 individuals, including 9,000 to 42,000 children, with pre-existing conditions.
- Rescinding consumer protections for 539,000 individuals who have health insurance through their employer or the market for private insurance.
- Eliminating health care tax credits for up to 16,400 small businesses and 138,000 families.
- Increasing prescription drug costs for 10,000 seniors who hit the Part D drug “donut hole” and
- denying new preventive care benefits to 107,000 seniors.
- Increasing the costs of early retiree coverage for up to 8,300 early retirees.
- Eliminating new health care coverage options for 2,300 uninsured young adults.
- Increasing the number of people without health insurance by 20,000 individuals.
- Increasing the costs to hospitals of providing uncompensated care by $42 million annually.
Pingback: House Blueprints - Home blueprint 16915