Democrats For Life of America

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Pro-Life Democrats Urge DNC to Modify Abortion Position

Wednesday, 03 November 2004 19:00 Kristen Day
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Pro-Life Democrats Urge DNC to Modify Abortion Position

Kerry Loss Highlights Need for Pro-Life Leadership

Washington, DC Nov 04, 2004 Democrats For Life of America urged the Democratic National Committee to concede it's pro-abortion position today on the heels of one of the worst Election Day performances in recent memory.

In addition to election results, Democrats For Life of America point to a poll that shows that Democratic Party insiders are out of touch with the rank-in-file Democratic voter across America. A CBS News poll showed that delegates to the DNC convention were twice as likely as Democratic voters to support abortions in all cases.
"The good news is pro-life democrats are winning campaigns. Pro-life Democrats win because they withstand the pressure of the national party and represent the values of their local communities. Evidence of this is in West Virginia. We won the governor's race in West Virginia despite the fact that President Bush carried the state. We also won legislative races in states all over the country including Iowa, Missouri, Michigan and made the run- off in two separate congressional contests in Louisiana. When Democrats take a stand and protect the rights of the unborn, we win elections. When Democrats campaign on a pro-abortion platform, they lose," said Kristen Day, Executive Director of Democrats For Life of America.

"We are hopeful the national Party will reassess its pro-abortion stance after the disastrous results of Tuesday night. They are costing us elections and abandoning our founding values of protecting and advocating for those who need a helping hand. At the top of that list should be helping protect the rights of the unborn."
 
Democrats For Life of America was founded in 1999 to mobilize Democrats at the local, state, and national levels. Their primary mission has been to elect pro-life Democrats, support pro-life elected officials, promote a pro-life plank in the Democratic Party platform and achieve legislation that fosters respect for human life. 

Democrats For Life of America currently has 32 state chapters with plans to expand the group into additional states by the end of they year. In addition to the grassroots support across America, the group has several Members of Congress who are actively promoting the group's mission.
 
DFLA
Kristen Day
Executive Director, DFLA
email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
website: http://www.democratsforlife.org
phone: 703-281-3781

Last Updated on Sunday, 12 June 2005 17:59  

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OBAMA ADMINISTRATION REITERATES THAT NO FEDERAL FUNDS WILL BE USED FOR ABORTION

Contrary to Claims by Republican-controlled Groups, High Risk Pools Will Not Pay for Abortion . . .

July 15, 2010 - Following the announcement that Pennsylvania will receive $160 million to ensure that people with pre-existing conditions are able to get health insurance under the new health care law, the National Right to Life Committee and others accused President Obama of allowing public funds to be used for abortion.  The Administration quickly responded to inquiries from Democrats for Life of America and pro-life Democratic Congressional leaders to make clear that this will not be the case.

HHS Spokeswoman Jenny Backus stated, " As is the case with FEHB plans currently, and with the Affordable Care Act and the President's related Executive Order more generally, in Pennsylvania and in all other states abortions will not be covered in the Pre-existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP) except in the cases of rape or incest, or where the life of the woman would be endangered.

Our policy is the same for both state and federally-run PCIP programs. We will reiterate this policy in guidance to those running the Pre-existing Condition Insurance Plan at both the state and federal levels. The contracts to operate the Pre-existing Condition Insurance Plan include a requirement to follow all federal laws and guidance."

The State of Pennsylvania is one of the first states to be awarded funds to set up a high-risk insurance pool.  The pool will ensure that individuals with pre-existing conditions or other conditions that preclude them from accessing health insurance and lifesaving care are able to get covered.

Pennsylvania has one of the most restrictive policies on abortion funding and has been a leader on providing support for pregnant women through their Real Alternatives program. 

Under current law, state-funded health plans may not pay for abortions beyond Hyde restrictions (those other than cases of rape, incest or a threat to the life of the mother).  Any organization receiving state funds may not provide or refer for abortion.  Additionally, neither state nor federal funds can used for abortion and public facilities may not provide abortion services unless they meet the Hyde restrictions. 

DFLA appreciates the leadership of our pro-life Democrats in Congress who are able to work closely with the Administration to ensure that no public funds will be used for abortion and that the intent of the Executive Order will be adhered to. While Republicans continue to mischaracterize aspects of the health reform bill, we will work to ensure the law provides affordable and accessible health care for millions of Americans while upholding the longstanding ban on public funding of abortion.
 
Heretics or Converts: Democrats Better Decide
Mark Shields offers this important column on the future of the Democratic party.  Shields says, "What follows is a fail-safe test on whether membership in a political party is growing or shrinking: Is that party spending time, energy and effort courting and welcoming converts, or is the party hunting down heretics within its ranks to banish them for lack of purity?"
 
Rage against Rep. Stupak is misdirected

Eva Ritchey, President of North Carolina Pro-Life Democrats, defends Bart Stupak and other pro-life Democrats in this article from the Ashville Citizen-Times.