The debate over whether the new federally-funded high risk pool programs will allow funding for member’s elective abortions continues. The mandatory state high risk pools will be funded at least in part by the federal government and in some cases also federally administered, though many states have volunteered to administer the pools themselves and contribute the lion’s share of funding. The pools –referred to as “pre-existing condition insurance plans” – are meant to provide health insurance for residents with pre-existing conditions who would otherwise be ineligible for coverage. Last week, the Obama administration announced it would not permit funding to be used for elective abortions under the program. This angered pro-choice groups who argue the President is bending over backwards, compromising campaign promises to appease a few pro-life Democrats.

Will Obama Fund Abortions in High Risk Insurance Pools?

Pro-choice advocates further allege that the administration does not have the legal authority to determine whether funding can be used to pay for abortions, as the use of funds for such procedures in high risk pools was not mentioned in the language of the Affordable Care Act or the subsequent executive order. Pro-lifers and Republicans say that even if the high risk pools were not included in the language of the executive order which affirmed the Hyde Amendment, the principle of the deal which solidified pro-life Democrats’ last-minute votes should still apply. Essentially, the President promised Democrats the reform would neither expand nor contract abortion availability, and his office should keep that promise.

Abortion-rights groups respond that many states’ existing high risk pools currently cover abortions for good reason. Many of the women enrolled in high risk pools have chronic health problems like diabetes which can make pregnancy dangerous. Abortions must be available to these women as a backup plan if their birth control fails as a pregnancy could seriously threaten their health, or even their lives.

As of April 1, smokers will begin paying 62 cents more a pack for cigarettes when the new federal tax takes effect.  In some places, cigarettes may cost more than $7 a pack and cartons selling for more than $50. After April 1, a pack-a-day smoker may be paying more than $2,500 a year on cigarettes.

And cigarettes aren’t the only tobacco products to increase in price. The April 1 tax will also affect chewing tobacco, cigars, and rolling papers. The tax for cigars is not as significant as cigarette tax, but 40 cents adds up.

Some increases that have already occurred include:

-R.J. Reynolds Tobacco: raised prices of Kool, Camel, Winston and Salem cigarettes by 44 cents

-Philip Morris U.S.A.: prices of Marlboro, Virginia Slims, and Parliament cigarettes rose by 71 cents a pack

The new tax is a product of President Barack Obama’s bill that was signed into law called the Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act. This act covers uninsured children whose families make too much to be covered under Medicaid but not enough to afford health insurance.

Increases per pack of cigarettes of some states:

-Arkansas: $.56 a pack

-California: $1.50 a pack

-Georgia: $1 a pack

-New Mexico: $1 a pack

-South Carolina: $.50 a pack