Let’s be real here — Republicans haven’t been happy with the health care bills put on the table in Congress. It seems they’re finding any reason to turn people against the bill. Remember how H1N1 got political?

And whether they’re right in doing so or it’s all a collection of red herrings, they’re being effective. After abortion became an issue in the health care debate, the House bill narrowly passed with an anti-abortion rights amendment introduced by Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Mich.

Now Republicans are again jumping on the latest health news and …

Abortion has been a controversial subject in the U.S. for decades, as it is today in health care reform legislation. The New York Times reported a couple weeks ago the amendment added to House Resolution 3962, the latest reform bill to pass the House, which would restrict Federal funding towards abortion.

That amendment, or Stupak-Ellsworth Anti-Abortion Amendment, passed 240 to 194, the New York Times reported.

Not surprisingly, the amendment had its supporters and opponents, many acting upon what they believe to be moral imperatives.

Among those supporting were Cardinal Justin Rigali on …

Last week, just before the House voted on its health care bill, I wrote how abortion had been affecting the debate in Washington. When the House bill narrowly passed, it included an anti-abortion rights amendment introduced by Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Mich.

So what does this amendment mean to health care? The Washington Post put together an FAQ on the issue.

Here’s how a few Columbia residents feel about the widely debated health care reform.

Brenda Adams, 60

“Get on with it. I believe in the public option, I believe in people not getting denied because of pre-existing medical conditions, but Republicans aren’t on board. It’s going to cost money, we need to stop fighting overseas and bring the money home.”

Mata Hari, 46

“While the bill is problematic and complex and may not pass, it’s necessary. We cannot rely on insurance reform”

Laura Crotch, 61

“It’s sickening. I believe in the medical system we have right …

Currently, federal dollars are not used to fund abortions. Obama wishes to keep it that way. However, he did ask Congress on Monday to make some revisions.

Obama wants to make sure “we’re not restricting women’s insurance choices.”

In the health bill that passed on Saturday, an amendment would not allow federal money for abortion “except in the case of rape or incest or if the life of a pregnant woman is in danger.”

Right now, some private insurers cover abortion. Under the bill, most private insurers would receive federal funding to cover …

House Resolution 3962, the new health care bill passed Saturday, is expected to face more resistance in the Senate than it did in the House.

According to the Congressional Budget Office and Joint Committee on Taxation, the direct spending and revenue effects of the bill would yield a net reduction in federal budget deficits of $109 billion over the next nine years.

While that might be good for government, Republican Senators are already speaking out against the bill, saying it entails extraneous costs that fall on the American people.

“It stikes me from looking at the coverage and listening to …

Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer, a Republican who represents Columbia in the House, voted against the health care reform bill Saturday. Like most of his Republican colleagues, he argues the plan will be bad for small business and incur too much debt.

Luetkemeyer’s staff posted his floor arguments on YouTube. Here’s what he said: