|
The
issue of abortion funding was again recently addressed
by Canadian legislators. (House of Commons Finance Committee,
October 31, 2001; "Abortion target for delisting
as medical costs spiral skyward: Many MLAs, two in cabinet,
strongly back saving $5M a year on procedure" - The
Edmonton Journal, Mon 05 Nov 2001, Ric Dolphin)
In
a submission to the House of Commons Finance Committee
on October 31, Canadian Abortion Rights Action League
Executive Director Marilyn Wilson said that women who
seek abortions: "... do so for socio-economic reasons.
Sometimes it is a desire to complete their education and
become financially independent. In many cases, couples
with children wish to restrict their family size in order
to provide adequate financial support. Often, choosing
abortion is a conscious decision not to become a socio-economic
burden on society."
Canadian
Physicians for Life questions why Canadian taxpayers are
funding abortions through provincial health insurance
plans? Abortion is not an essential medical service. Pregnancy
is not an "injury, illness or disease." There
is no proof that abortion improves health. In fact it
disrupts a normal physiological process, poses a risk
to the mother, and ends the life of her developing child.
There is no "medical necessity" where no medical
benefit or health risk exists.
Most
Canadians do not support public funding of abortion as
revealed in polls performed in Alberta, Saskatchewan,
Ontario, and New Brunswick. The most recent poll by Corporate
Research Associates found that only 31% of respondents
in New Brunswick supported this use of taxpayer's dollars.
Of women poll respondents, 63% were opposed to funding
of clinic abortions. (1)
As
a statement of federal policy, the Canada Health Act (CHA)
respects that the provinces must have flexibility in deciding
how to best organize, finance and deliver health services.(2)
However, in defending abortion funding, some provincial
leaders argue that they have no choice due to CHA requirements.
Provinces that do not comply with federal demands are
threatened with clawing back of their transfer payments.(3)
Canadians
cannot opt out of paying taxes for the public system of
universal healthcare which also funds ending a healthy
pregnancy. Taxpayers are funding abortions while many
areas of healthcare are deteriorating for lack of funds.
To add insult to injury, the federal Liberal government
is not honouring the right of provincial governments to
determine limits to abortion funding, respecting the majority
view of citizens. In recent years, the Ministry of Health
has ordered the governments of Newfoundland, New Brunswick,
Prince Edward Island, Quebec, and Manitoba to change their
abortion funding policies.
The
Canada Health Act (CHA) does not require that elective
procedures be funded. As an unmedical act and an untherapeutic
act, abortion does not deserve a place in the roster of
paid services.
Will
Johnston, M.D., President - Vancouver, BC
For
further information, contact
Mrs. Janet Les, Administration Assistant
Canadian Physicians for Life
Phone: 604-794-3772 - Fax: 604-794-3960
Email: info@physiciansforlife.ca
1.
Bob Klager, "Most back N.B. stand on abortion clinics:
poll," Telegraph-Journal, 18 January, 2001.
2.
Gordon Kirkby, Parliamentary Secretary to Minister of
Justice, Hansard, 27 May 1996.
3. Beth Ryan, "Abortions now funded in Newfoundland,"
Canadian Medical Association Journal 1998;158:860-1.
|
