Obama-Couric healthcare interview, abortion question

Katie Couric: Do you favor a government option that would cover abortions?

President Obama: What I think is important, at this stage, is not trying to micromanage what benefits are covered. Because I think we're still trying to get a framework. And my main focus is making sure that people have the options of high quality care at the lowest possible price.

As you know, I'm pro choice. But I think we also have a tradition of, in this town, historically, of not financing abortions as part of government funded health care. Rather than wade into that issue at this point, I think that it's appropriate for us to figure out how to just deliver on the cost savings, and not get distracted by the abortion debate at this station.

Full video: http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=5178969n
Transcript: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/07/21/eveningnews/main5178682_page2.shtml

Prayer for our Nation's Health Care Reform
(http://www.priestsforlife.org/prayercampaign/)

Lord Jesus, you are the Divine Physician,
And the source of all life and health.

Guide our nation at this critical moment,
As our government seeks health care reforms.

Give our elected officials the humility to know
That they are servants, not masters.
Give them the wisdom to realize
That every life has equal value.
Give them the strength to resist the idea
That some lives can be sacrificed to save others
Or that killing the unborn is a part of health care.

Give your people the courage to speak up
And to hold public officials accountable for their actions.

Save us, Lord Jesus, from a culture of death,
And let every reform in our public policy
Be based on the reform of our hearts and minds
In the light of your Gospel,
For you are Lord forever and ever. Amen.

Oración por la Reforma del Cuidado de la Salud en nuestra Nación
(http://www.priestsforlife.org/prayercampaign/index-sp.htm)

Señor Jesús, tú eres el Doctor Divino,
y la fuente de toda vida y salud.

Guía nuestra Nación en este momento crítico,
en que nuestro gobierno busca reformas del cuidado de la salud.

Dale a nuestros representantes la humildad de saber
que ellos son siervos, no maestros.
dales la sabiduría para darse cuenta
que toda vida tiene un mismo valor.
dales la fortaleza para resistir la idea
que algunas vidas humanas pueden ser sacrificadas
para salvar otras vidas,
o que matar los bebés no nacidos es parte del cuidado de la salud.

Dale coraje a tu gente para que haga escuchar su voz
y ayuden a los representantes a caer en la cuenta de sus acciones.

Sálvanos, Señor Jesús, de la cultura de la muerte,
y permite que toda reforma en la política pública
esté basada en la reforma de nuestros corazones y mentes
a la luz de tu Evangelio,
te lo pedimos a ti que eres Dios por los siglos de los siglos.
Amén.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• barack obama
• katie couric
• cbc
• healthcare
• health care
• abortion
• pro-life
• pro-choice
• human life
• life
• sanctity
• prayer

[eyem4freedom]

not get "distracted" by the "abortion debate"......... in other words, "don't pay any attention to those people who say that I am killing babies. Let's just let this healthcare thing pass and everything else I'm trying to do so that the people no longer have a voice. Then, they will sit down, shut up and do what I say without questioning.

[AshelyJ26]

Wow..do you see how he just tries to make a loophole outta answering? Basically, "it shouldn't matter you where i'm giving money to, especially if it's killing babies who have no say". Way to go again obama, continue to make me sick.

[JoeJC]

Why did Obama, the champion of transparency, not just say, 'Yes'!?

[1111flores]

Your commentary is in error. The House version of the reform bill designates a Health Care Exchange that has CITIZEN ADVOCATES and representatives on the board who are there to shepherd the program. These are representatives who are YOUR voice. Currently, your health insurance provider, into whose pool you pay, provides abortion services to women. Are you writing your health insurance company in outrage?

[themou2008]

He doesn't want to "micromanage" what benefits are covered. The details aren't important as long as 47 million are now insurred. If we don't like it, once the bill is passed, sorrry.