Yes, sometime in the past they took out the cost of food, fuel, and I think housing from the calculation. Ya know, the THREE things that we spend the highest percentage of our wages on are no longer factored into inflation. Riddle me that Batman!! It was done because without them the COLA every year for SSA and military retirements, as well as the annual increase for active duty is lower.
As for the abortion thing, I guess it is pretty simple, how would you feel if someone assisted your children in going out of state to a religious camp without your permission. If they are adults, it is there business, I am very libertarian when it comes to things like that. I hate abortion but it does not involve me so I stay out of it.