Last Updated on January 24, 2021
Virginia Democrats are continuing to further the radical, pro-abortion agenda championed by Governor Ralph Northam throughout his time in office, “celebrating” the anniversary of the Roe v Wade decision by ramming taxpayer-funded abortions through the State Senate. Religious leaders, including a pair of Catholic Bishops, have blasted the Democrats’ move, uniting in opposition to the bill.
SB 1276, introduced by Democrat Jennifer McClellan, would amend the Code of Virginia to allow for taxpayer-funded abortion on demand by removing language specifically barring its coverage through plans listed on Virginia’s taxpayer-subsidized Obamacare exchange. Currently, the plans may only cover the procedure in cases of rape or incest or when the mother’s life is endangered.
“No qualified health insurance plan that is sold or offered for sale through an exchange established or operating in the Commonwealth shall provide coverage for abortions, regardless of whether such coverage is provided through the plan or is offered as a separate optional rider thereto, provided that such limitation shall not apply to an abortion performed (a) when the life of the mother is endangered by a physical disorder, physical illness, or physical injury, including a life-endangering physical condition caused by or arising from the pregnancy itself, or (b) when the pregnancy is the result of an alleged act of rape or incest,” the Code currently reads.
McClellan’s bill cleared the Senate in a Friday afternoon party-line vote, and will now head to the House of Delegates – also under Democrat control following years of massive redistricting efforts by the party.
Faith leaders have blasted McClellan and the Democrats’ efforts, with Catholic Bishops Michael Burbidge of Arlington and Barry Knestout of Richmond joining together to speak out.
“Abortion is not health care; it ends lives instead of healing them,” said the Bishops. “On this day when we reflect in particular on the more than 60 million unborn lives lost since the Roe v. Wade decision, and on every day, we continue to advocate with relentless determination for healthcare that affirms every life, born and unborn.”
Since assuming office in January of 2018, Governor Ralph Northam and his Democrat Party have waged what some have described as a war on Virginia’s unborn, expanding abortion and rolling back the unborn’s protections at every turn. In 2019, Northam made headlines while defending a late-term abortion bill during a radio interview as he described, in very favorable terms, how doctors would be able to kill a baby born alive during a botched late-term abortion attempt.
