KMPH Fox 26 Central San Joaquin Valley News Source in Fresno, California Entertainment, News, Sports and Weather | Abortion -- Point of Contention for Valley Groups

Abortion -- Point of Contention for Valley Groups

By Norma Yuriar

Fresno, Calif.  (KMPH News) – Abortion.  Will the government pay for it not?  With a House vote on the massive health care overhaul coming Sunday, the controversial question of abortion financing is becoming the point of contention.

President Obama is expected to meet with House Democrats Saturday to make one more plea for a win on Sunday.

In the Central Valley groups on both sides of the abortion debate want to make their own plea to local lawmakers.  But, some say it's next to impossible to tell your congressman where you stand on the issue.

"The Capitol switchboard in DC is receiving 100,000 phone calls an hour.  There are no phone lines that you can get through on," Fresno Right to Life Director Jonathan Keller said.

Planned Parenthood Director of Public Affairs Patsy Montgomery is also trying to get in on the discussion of abortion coverage.

"What the President promised was that women in America would not be worse off with Health Care than they are currently.  However, with this plan women would be worse off," Montgomery said.

As it stands right now Montgomery says the current Health Care Reform bill covers abortion in an emergency only case... "rape, incest and if the women's life is in danger."

According to Planned Parenthood, 87% of women with private health insurance also have abortion coverage.  Under the President's plan, Montgomery says women would pay out of pocket or purchase a separate policy.

Fresno Right to Life advocates view the ‘abortion language' on the bill differently.

"The way the bill is currently written abortion would be funded in many different cases and even if abortion was not funded directly – there is an additional $11billion in the bill for community health centers which provide abortions like Planned Parenthood," Keller said.

KMPH News Legal Analyst Mark King says..."one of the things that [the bill] does not do is — it does not prevent someone from purchasing a health insurance policy that would cover abortion as long as that policy is not paid for by premiums that are subsidized by tax payer dollars."

One thing both sides of the abortion debate agree on is the language of the bill needs to change before Sunday.  But, getting through to those casting a vote comes with its own set of challenges.

"Sorry, you cannot leave a message…because the mailbox is full," (D) Fresno Congressman Jim Costa's voicemail said.

Costa is still undecided on the upcoming health care reform package.  (D) Merced Congressman Dennis Cardoza will announce his vote on Saturday.

A FOX NEWS POLL

Based on what you know about the health care reform legislation being considered right now, do you favor or oppose the plan?

Favor                       35%

Oppose                   55%

Don't know              10%