Summary
Federal law forbids taxpayer subsidies for elective abortions; however, the Affordable Care Act requires that every plan that includes abortion offered on any Obamacare exchange must collect a separate fee used exclusively to pay for abortions. This abortion surcharge is not listed in the premium but is instead added in to the total premium. The Connecticut state health exchange only offered plans that include abortion coverage, and thus every plan on the exchange required this abortion surcharge. Consequently, the Bracy family of Connecticut had two options: violate their conscience and faith by personally subsidizing the abortions of others or be penalized with steep fines.
