Nick Begich Opposed Codifying Abortion Rights And Supported Stopping Medicaid From Paying For “Abortion Services In Cases Of Rape, Incest Or When A Woman’s Life Is Endangered By Her Pregnancy”

Begich Opposed Codifying Abortion Rights And Supported Stopping Medicaid From Paying For “Abortion Services In Cases Of Rape, Incest Or When A Woman’s Life Is Endangered By Her Pregnancy.” “Republicans Sarah Palin and Nick Begich say they support the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision that allows states to ban the practice and that they oppose congressional efforts to guarantee abortion rights. Both also say they would vote to end federal Medicaid funding that pays for abortion services in cases of rape, incest or when a woman’s life is endangered by her pregnancy. […] In a Wednesday appearance on a radio show hosted by Alaskan Independence Party chairman Bob Bird, Begich said he no longer supports the current version of the federal Hyde Amendment, which allows federal funding for Medicaid to pay for abortion services in cases of rape, incest, or if a woman’s life is endangered by pregnancy.” [Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman, 8/8/22]

Begich Said He Supported Allowing Abortions In Cases Of Rape, Incest, And To Protect The Mother’s Life, But That “He Steadfastly Opposes The Use Of Federal Funds For Abortion Services.” “In Alaska, the state government pays for other abortions that providers have determined are medically necessary. Rulings from the Alaska Supreme Court have guaranteed those payments and abortion rights in general. Begich’s campaign manager, Truman Reed, said Begich supports allowing abortions in those cases but opposes federal funding for them. ‘Nick’s position has been consistent from the start,’ Reed said. ‘He is pro-life with allowance for the life of the mother, incest and rape. He steadfastly opposes the use of federal funds for abortion services.’” [Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman, 8/8/22]

Begich Claimed He Would Vote To End Federal Medicaid Funding For Abortion Services In The Case Of Rape, Incest, Or Endangered Life Of The Woman. “In a Wednesday appearance on a radio show hosted by Alaskan Independence Party chairman Bob Bird, Begich said he no longer supports the current version of the federal Hyde Amendment, which allows federal funding for Medicaid to pay for abortion services in cases of rape, incest, or if a woman’s life is endangered by pregnancy.” [Alaska Beacon, 8/9/22]

When Asked “How Should The Federal Government Support A Person Who Is Forced To Carry Their Baby To Term Against Their Wishes,” Begich Said That That Was A Question For State Governments. “ANCHORAGE DAILY NEWS: ‘If you oppose abortion rights, how should the federal government support a person who is forced to carry their baby to term against their wishes?’ BEGICH: ‘With the Supreme Court set to return the issue of abortion to the states, each state will have the opportunity to determine the manner of such support.’” [Anchorage Daily News, 5/2/22]

Begich Said He Would “Continue To Consider” Whether Exceptions Were Appropriate When Asked To Commit To A No-Exceptions Abortion Ban

Begich Said He Opposed Abortion In Most Instances, But Favored Exceptions In The Cases Of Rape Or Incest. “Begich says he opposes abortion in most instances, he does favor exceptions in cases of rape and incest, a position that many pro-life advocates see as punishing innocent unborn babies for the crimes of their biological fathers.” [Alaska Watchman, 7/7/22]

BUT Begich Also Said He Would “Continue To Consider” Whether Exceptions Were Appropriate When Asked To Commit To A No-Exceptions Abortion Ban. “Bird asked Begich whether he would consider revisiting his position. […]While declining to say he would commit to opposing rape and incest exceptions, Begich did say it is”something that I will continue to consider.” [Alaska Watchman, 7/7/22]