House Dem Leaders on Stupak Amendment: More children born, millions more in health care costs

Congressman Bart Stupak (D-MI) in an interview with National Review regarding the health care bill:

Stupak notes that his negotiations with House Democratic leaders in recent days have been revealing. "I really believe that the Democratic leadership is simply unwilling to change its stance," he says. "Their position says that women, especially those without means available, should have their abortions covered." The arguments they have made to him in recent deliberations, he adds, "are a pretty sad commentary on the state of the Democratic party."

What are Democratic leaders saying? "If you pass the Stupak amendment, more children will be born, and therefore it will cost us millions more. That’s one of the arguments I’ve been hearing," Stupak says. "Money is their hang-up. Is this how we now value life in America? If money is the issue — come on, we can find room in the budget. This is life we’re talking about."

Stupak has led the pro-life Democrats in fighting against federal funding of abortions in the health care reform legislation. A fair-sized contingent of Democrats are opposing the legislation because of the abortion funding in the bill.