A bill introduced by Congressman Alan Nunnelee aims to stop taxpayers from funding abortions.
On Jan. 22, Rep. Alan Nunnelee (R-Miss.) introduced the Stop Abortion Funding in Multi-State Exchange Plans Act, which would prohibit tax payer money from being used to fund elective abortions to multi-state insurance plans offered through the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
Under the Affordable Care Act, the federal government is required to sponsor at least two multi-state insurance plans, and the Office of Personal Management is also required to administer two multi-state insurance plans.
In his speech to the House of Representative, Nunnelee said, “While in this body we’ve had much spirited debate over the right to life, there’s one area where we have found bipartisan agreement, taxpayers should not be forced to subsidize the practice that so many of us find abhorrent. We must protect taxpayers from funding abortion.”
David Rutherford, assistant professor in The University of Mississippi’s department of public policy leadership, said he believes it is imperative to ascertain what specifically the Affordable Care Act means.
“A lot of people are saying it mandates some known abortion and others are saying maybe not,” Rutherford said.
“It is important to really determine what is said in the Affordable Care Act, and that means more than listening to your favorite biased radio station.”
As a strong supporter of pro-life issues, Nunnelee made it clear in his speech that he wants to urge citizens and the government to “do the right thing.”
“My bill is an effort to do the right thing and protect taxpayers from funding the destruction of the most vulnerable among us — the unborn child,” Nunnelee said.
Ole Miss students who learned of Nunnelee’s bill expressed conflicting views on the matter.
Nursing junior Kiyanta Taylor said she has mixed feelings about the bill but is pro-life.
“Even though I don’t believe in abortions, I know once I start working I can’t have a biased opinion, my main concern is my patients,” Taylor said.
“If my patient wants to have an abortion and feels that is the best thing for them, then I’m going to have to respect that. I can’t give my personal opinion and try to make them see things from my perspective.”
Nursing sophomore Mary Wren said she believes Nunnelee is not considering the rights of others in his statement.
“I don’t agree with Nunnelee because I feel like his feelings towards abortion may.”
