NCHLA Action Center

Congress is considering health care reform legislation. Our nation is at a crossroads. Policies adopted on abortion will have an impact for good or ill for years to come. Please contact your Representative and Senators today!

House: Following consideration by three committees, House leadership produced a single version of the House’s bill, the Affordable Health Care for America Act (H.R. 3962). On November 7, during floor debate on this bill, the House approved the Stupak-Pitts Amendment 240 to 193. It enacts a permanent ban on federal funding for elective abortions or health plans that include such abortions. Those wishing to purchase abortion coverage may continue to do so with their own private funds, but not in the government-run health care plan (“public option”) or with the help of federal subsidies. It also improved conscience protection provisions in the bill. The House thereafter narrowly passed H.R. 3962.

Senate: Two Senate committees have marked up different bills: the Health, Education, Labor and Pension (HELP) Committee has voted out the Affordable Health Choices Act (S. 1679); the Finance Committee has reported its America’s Healthy Future Act (S. 1796). Debate could begin the week of November 16.

None of the Senate bills retains longstanding current policies against abortion funding or abortion coverage mandates, and none fully protects conscience rights in health care. These serious defects in the Senate bills must be corrected. On October 8, 2009, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops sent a letter to Congress expressing concern about the bishops’ three priority concerns for health care reform. With respect to pro-life matters, the bishops stated: “No one should be required to pay for or participate in abortion. It is essential that the legislation clearly apply to this new program longstanding and widely supported federal restrictions on abortion funding and mandates, and protections for rights of conscience.”

ACTION: Contact Members through e-mail, phone calls or FAX letters. 1) Send an e-mail click here. 2) Call the U.S. Capitol switchboard at: 202-224-3121, or call your Members’ local offices. Full contact info can be found on Members’ web sites at www.house.gov and www.senate.gov.

MESSAGE—SENATE: “Please adopt the House-approved Stupak Amendment that upholds longstanding policies against abortion funding, and please protect conscience rights in health care reform. Health care must be made more affordable and accessible to those in need, and immigrants must not lose or be denied health care coverage.”

MESSAGE—HOUSE: “I am pleased that the House-passed health care reform bill maintains the longstanding policy against federal funding of abortion. Please work to ensure that this essential provision is included in any final bill sent to the President.”

WHEN: Senate floor debate could begin the week of November 16. Thanks!