Opinion: Health Care Bill Lives: Obama Prepared to Pass by 'Reconciliation'?

Steps are being taken to avoid a Republican filibuster by attaching Obama's health care bill to a budget bill, passing it by 'reconciliation.'

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Catholic Online) - Have we gotten comfortable with the notion that the health care bill was dead?  I've listened for weeks to those who have been giving the legislation its eulogy.  It seems such reports have been greatly exaggerated.  We should not be surprised.  If President Obama has taught us anything, it's that he has audacity.  It's just not hope he's selling.

He has invited Republicans to a televised summit next week, in a move that now sure smells like a set-up.  He already appears to have his back-up plan ready to go.  Namely, a recrafted legislation that combines the House and the Senate bills into one which he will attach to a budget bill and pass by reconciliation, completely avoiding a Republican filibuster.  That's right - he is reportedly prepared to piggyback a monstrously expensive and unwanted health care bill onto a budget bill and pass it by force.

Administration officials have said President Obama's new proposal will be posted online by Monday morning.  Ahead of his meeting with Republicans on February 25.  Seems like his mind is made up already.

Then he can claim that the Republicans didn't offer anything of substance, they weren't willing to talk or negotiate, they are the party of "No" and there was no alternative but to go around them in order to "get this done for the American people."  He can say he tried, and the opposition gave him no choice.

An ironic phrase considering that "no choice" is what the rest of us will get when it comes to paying for this terrible bill.  "No choice" is what we'll get regarding our tax dollars being used to pay for the murder of our nation's youngest citizens.

It's unknown at this point what this new bill being created will specify regarding abortion funding, but we have a wealth of evidence behind us to say with great certainty that Obama will not give in and adopt the Stupak amendment.  He sold himself to the abortion lobby a long time ago, and he knows he will not be given a pass if he allows this "victory" for abortion "rights" to slip away.

We have every reason to expect that the Senate language concerning abortion is what will be present in this final, new legislation; language that allows tax dollars to be used for abortion on demand all over the country.  Obama has left no doubt that he will not let silly little things like babies get in the way of doing what he wants.  He seems to not even care that the majority of Americans don't want his version of health care reform.  He hears no one but himself and his pro-abortion donors to whom he is beholden.

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Let's not be caught unaware.  President Obama does not govern openly or honestly; he dictates in the shadows and mandates. 

It's time once again to write your Representatives in Washington.  Call their offices, send emails, send letters, and call again.  We've been at this "near finish line" place before many times, and each time it is critical that we act and speak out against the abortion mandate that this administration wants to impose on all Americans. 

Until Congress and President Obama can present a health care reform bill that actually protects human life at all ages and stages, does not use taxpayer dollars to pay for the killing of the preborn, and does not drive our nation into such unimaginable debt that our great-great grandchildren will still be paying the bill, we must oppose their plans and demand they listen to those they are supposed to serve.

You can reach your Representatives by going to www.stoptheabortionmandate.com/representatives
And www.stoptheabortionmandate.com/senators

Keep this fervently in your prayers.  Fast and pray that this anti-life legislation does not prevail.  It's the final stretch (again).  Let us finish the race.

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Jennifer Hartline is a lifelong Catholic, Army wife and mother of four precious children. (One in heaven.)  She is a contributing writer for Catholic Online on topics of Catholic faith, family, Life, and politics.  She is also a serious chocoholic.  Visit her online at My Chocolate Heart.

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