By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Writer
While applauding two amendments to the House health care reform bill that will protect certain state laws regulating abortion and existing federal conscience rights, the changes are not enough, says the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).
In a third letter addressed to U.S. Representatives, Cardinal Justin Rigali, Chairman of the USCCB Committee on Pro-Life Activities, voiced his appreciation for two amendments made to the House health care reform bill H.R. 3200 which will not allow the bill to preempt certain state laws regulating abortion and to have an effect on existing federal conscience rights on abortion.
He was specifically grateful for passage of the Stupak/Pitts amendment which prohibits governmental bodies that receive federal funds under the bill to discriminate against providers and insurers who decline involvement in abortion.
However, on two other fundamental issues, the bill “remains seriously deficient,” the Cardinal wrote.
First, the legislation gives the Secretary of Health and Human Services the power to make unlimited abortion a mandated benefit in the public health insurance plan.
“This would be a radical change: Federal law has long excluded most abortions from federal employees’ health benefits packages, and no federal health program mandates coverage of elective abortions,” the Cardinal points out.
He also criticized the bill for bypassing the Hyde Amendment and other longstanding provisions that prevent federal funding of abortion and health benefits packages that include abortion. He called the provisions to separate funding for abortion created by the House Energy and Commerce Committee a “legal fiction,” one that would force low-income Americans, who may only be able to afford the public plan, to subsidize abortions for others and abortion coverage for themselves “even if they find abortion morally abhorrent.”
He went on to say: “Much-needed reform must not become a vehicle for promoting an ‘abortion rights’ agenda or reversing longstanding policies against federal funding and mandated coverage of abortion.”
He also pointed out that “Most Americans do not want abortion in their health coverage, and most consider themselves ‘pro-life,’ with a stronger majority among low-income Americans.”
“By what right, then, and by what precedent, would Congress make abortion coverage into a nationwide norm, or force Americans to subsidize it as a condition for participating in a public health program?” he asked.
Cardinal Rigali reiterated the USCCB’s long-time support of genuine health care reform that respects human life and dignity from conception till natural death, provides access to quality care for all with special concern for the poor and immigrants, respects pluralism and conscience rights, and shares costs equitably.
He urged members of the House to support amendments to correct the “unacceptable features” currently in H.R. 3200 and to oppose any rule for considering the bill that would block such amendments.
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