Conservative Christian Groups Oppose Current Heath Care Reform Proposals

Liberty Counsel yesterday issued a press release endorsed by 34 other conservative Christian groups saying that "it is time to start over" on health care reform, with a "nonpartisan approach." The statement said in part:

We oppose funding for abortion. Abortion is not healthcare. We support the sanctity of human life from conception to natural death.... We support conscience laws protecting hospitals and healthcare providers from coerced participation in abortion. We oppose government policies pressuring people to forgo or limit treatment because of age or illness..... Every proposed bill funds abortion, including the so-called Baucus bill from the Senate Finance Committee. This is unacceptable. We will not support any bill that funds abortion.

... We support legal reform to stop frivolous lawsuits ...[,] portability, allowing people to take their healthcare with them so it is not tied to employment...[,] options to purchase health insurance across state lines.... We support competition; coverage of pre-existing conditions; wellness care and prevention incentives; tax relief that provides a dollar-for-dollar deduction for every dollar spent on premiums or other medical or prescription costs; and a dollar-for-dollar tax deduction with no limit from gross income for every dollar contributed to nonprofit organizations providing healthcare for free or at reduced cost to the needy..... We oppose a single-payer, government-run insurance program or the so-called public option.