Pro-Life Advocates Lambast Abortion Language in Reid Healthcare Bill

Latest Language In Health Bill “Is Not Acceptable” “Should Be Opposed”:

REP. BART STUPAK (D-MI): “While I appreciate the efforts of all the parties involved, especially Senator Ben Nelson, the Senate abortion language is table … A review of the Senate language indicates a dramatic shift in federal policy that would allow the federal government to subsidize insurance policies with abortion coverage.” (Rep. Stupak, Press Release, 12/19/09)

UNITED STATES CONFERENCE OF CATHOLIC BISHOPS: “This legislation should not move forward in its current form. It should be opposed unless and until such serious concerns have been addressed. … Despite repeated claims to the contrary, it does not comply with longstanding Hyde restrictions on federal funding of elective abortions and health plans that include them.” (United States Conference Of Catholic Bishops, Press Release, 12/19/09)

NEBRASKA RIGHT TO LIFE: “Senator Nelson had a chance to ensure that the longstanding principle of the Hyde Amendment against federal funding of abortion with narrow exceptions, would be placed in the Senate healthcare legislation. He dashed any hope of that with his late-night agreement with Senators Reid, Boxer and Schumer on unacceptable language that he claimed would address pro-life concerns.” (Nebraska Right To Life, Press Release, 12/19/09)

NATIONAL RIGHT TO LIFE COMMITTEE: “The manager’s amendment is light years removed from the Stupak-Pitts Amendment that was approved by the House of Representatives on November 8 by a bipartisan vote of 240-194. The new abortion language solves none of the fundamental abortion-related problems with the Senate bill, and it actually creates some new abortion-related problems.” (National Right To Life Committee, Press Release, 12/19/09)

FAMILY RESEARCH COUNCIL: “This so-called 'compromise' includes the accounting gimmicks that we have seen previously proposed. The new language also does nothing to protect individual consciences. Every purchaser of insurance will be forced to pay for other people's abortions in a more direct manner than ever before.” (Family Research Council, Press Release, 12/19/09)

AMERICANS UNITED FOR LIFE: “Majority Leader Reid’s amendment to the Senate health care bill absolutely fails to meet abortion and life protections that exist in current federal law and policy. It does not prevent federal funding of plans that include abortion coverage, it does not adequately protect health care providers who choose to exercise their rights of conscience, and it does not prevent government involvement in assisted suicide. A vast majority of the American people are opposed to these policies and will make themselves heard loudly over the coming days.” (Americans United For Life, Press Release, 12/19/09)

AMERICAN CENTER FOR LAW AND JUSTICE: “This legislation violates the long-standing policy of prohibiting federal dollars from funding abortion. Under this bill, millions of federal dollars from taxpayers and participants in the federally subsidized health plans will flow to abortionists for elective abortions. The accounting schemes in the bill do nothing to change this fact.” (American Center For Law And Justice, Press Release, 12/19/09)

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