New Mexico Paid for 1,786 Abortions With Tax Funds in 2011

State   |   Steven Ertelt   |   May 14, 2012   |   12:11PM   |   Santa Fe, NM

New Mexico is one of 15 states where Medicaid currently pays for abortions and a new report today shows the state paid for well over 1,500 abortions in 2011 with more than one million in taxpayer funding using public funds.

“In 2011, New Mexico tax payers paid for 1,786 abortions which amounted to $1,127,557.26. This really brings new meaning to the concept of forced abortions, only now the coercion is foisted upon New Mexico tax payers to fund abortions,” stated Bud Shaver of Project Defending Life.

The state of New Mexico first began to cover abortions in 1976 but, at that time, only for cases when the life of the mother was endangered, as per the Federal Hyde Amendment. Tara Shaver, of Project Defending Life, explains that New Mexico, extended Medicaid coverage to “medically necessary” abortions, to be funded out of state funds without any federal financial participation. “Medically necessary” includes physical or mental health issues — meaning virtually any abortion could qualify for funding with tax monies.

“The State of New Mexico has one of the highest poverty rates. Money that could go to alleviate poverty has instead been dished out to abortion providers,” she said.

Fr. Stephen Imbarrato, of Project Defending Life, recently met with the staff of pro-life New Mexico Gov. Susanna Martinez and he said he hopes more than be done to stop public funding, which would have to be changed by the legislature and upheld in court.

“In our discussions with the Governor’s office, we understand that a lot of work needs to be done to change this culture of innocent deaths and wounding of women. It has gotten so bad that the New Mexico abortion industry has publicly bragged about unrestricted abortion access in New Mexico, abortions performed on girls as young as 11, and people coming from surrounding states to have abortions here in New Mexico,” he said. “It is our hope and expectation that the Governor will explore every option at her disposal to end what has become a shameful and unacceptable situation here in New Mexico.”

Tara Shaver says one good reason for ending public funding of abortions is the fact that abortions are injuring women in New Mexico:

“Last June, fourteen 911 calls were obtained through a public records request, prompting even more concern about New Mexico tax funds paying for abortions. At least 14 women were seriously injured by abortions that were potentially paid for by tax payers. Women suffered from uncontrolled bleeding, a ruptured uterus, seizures, and near life threatening complications after and during the abortions,” she said. “Taxpayers should not be forced to fund a failing industry that harms women and kills their children.”

“As Albuquerque attracts women from all over the country seeking abortions, it is also of great concern that the surgical portion of the clinics are never inspected. Abortion clinics nationwide are commonly under regulated, but in a state where tax payers foot the bill for abortions there is almost no oversight. The New Mexico Department of Health currently claims to lack jurisdiction over abortion clinics because they are not classified properly to come under its oversight. This partly explains the abortion injuries we continue to see here in Albuquerque,” Shaver added.

Complaints were filed with the New Mexico Medical Board shortly after the fourteen 911 tapes were obtained. It is unclear as to what extent an investigation in the interest of public safety is underway.

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Shaver said, “Our concerns and all pertinent information have been given to Governor Martinez’s office. Project Defending Life has just recently met with the Governor’s staff and brought the crisis of forced taxpayer-funded abortions to the Governor’s attention.”

“It is truly unfortunate that there have been years of neglect regarding the safety of women entering unregulated and dangerous abortion clinics in Albuquerque. The 1.1 million dollars currently paying for abortions could certainly be used more effectively to help those in need in the state of New Mexico,” she concluded.

“We have been assured by the Governor’s office that steps are being taken to turnaround this deep seated abortion culture that has caused New Mexico to be labeled the “Abortion Capital of the Southwest.” It is our hope that the New Mexico Department of Health will begin inspections of these abortion facilities and that the New Mexico Medical Board will fully investigate the 14 botched abortions and to hold those responsible accountable for their actions,” she said.

Mew Mexico is one of 15 states where Medicaid currently pays for abortions, including Alaska, California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, new Jersey, New York, Oregon, Vermont, Washington, and West Virginia.