Tell Shuler: Health-care reform will reduce abortions

While Rep. Heath Shuler's reelection campaign pays for a polling agency to call voters in the 11th District, asking if they would support him if he votes with other supporters of health-care reform, other principled leaders across the nation are leading the way in forming a health-care bill that is pro-life, pro-seniors and pro-family. Where is our congressman's leadership?

Shuler says he is pro-life, but as far as I can see, it's all posturing for reelection. The health-care bill that he should vote for this week would not provide any government funding for abortions — and, more proactively, it would support women who need help seeing a doctor in order to get contraceptives and health care for their children. An article in the March 14 Washington Post said it best: Americans have the highest rate of abortion in the world, and not because the British, Japanese and Canadians are better Christians than we are. On the contrary, it is because these countries provide affordable health care for all their citizens. Go to http://data.un.org to read the statistics, which show that, as the Post article put it, "when it comes to abortion rates in the developed world, we're No. 1."

If a teenage girl in Haywood County finds out she is pregnant, she is much more likely to consider an abortion if she is unable to see a doctor to get prenatal care, counseling and support for her pregnancy, and care for herself and her child after the child is born. How do I know that? I'm no genius — I just know and talk to plenty of young women.

What can we do in the 11th District to support life? We can start by having our representative vote for health-care reform — reform that shows we truly value a child's life, from conception to adulthood.

— Mary Alice Lamb
Waynesville

Editors' note: On March 21, the U.S> House of Representatives passed a health-care reform bill. Rep. Shuler voted against it.

SHARE

Thanks for reading through to the end…

We share your inclination to get the whole story. For the past 25 years, Xpress has been committed to in-depth, balanced reporting about the greater Asheville area. We want everyone to have access to our stories. That’s a big part of why we've never charged for the paper or put up a paywall.

We’re pretty sure that you know journalism faces big challenges these days. Advertising no longer pays the whole cost. Media outlets around the country are asking their readers to chip in. Xpress needs help, too. We hope you’ll consider signing up to be a member of Xpress. For as little as $5 a month — the cost of a craft beer or kombucha — you can help keep local journalism strong. It only takes a moment.

About Webmaster
Mountain Xpress Webmaster Follow me @MXWebTeam

Before you comment

The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.

Leave a Reply

To leave a reply you may Login with your Mountain Xpress account, connect socially or enter your name and e-mail. Your e-mail address will not be published. All fields are required.