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Democrats For Life of America

CRS Memo Confirms that Bill Administration Can Ban Funding of Abortion

Monday, 02 August 2010 10:18 administrator
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CRS MEMO CONFIRMS THAT ADMINSTRATION HAS AUTHORITY TO BAN FUNDING OF ABORTION

A Congressional Research Service (CRS) memo requested by Republican Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK) clearly states  that the Administration has the authority to prohibit abortion coverage in the high risk pool.  The CRS Memo reads:

 “Under section 1101, high risk pools must meet specified requirements, including “any other requirements determined appropriate by the Secretary.”   It may be possible for the Secretary of HHS to provide that a high risk pool may not use federal funds to pay claims or subsidize premiums related to the coverage of elective abortions.  The Secretary’s seemingly broad authority to establish other requirements of high risk pools may also arguable allow for a restriction on elective abortion coverage in the high risk pools. 

And, the Administration has made it very clear that the high risk pools will not cover abortion.

 

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

Friday, 16 July 2010 19:56 administrator
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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.
Last Updated on Friday, 16 July 2010 19:58
 

REPUBLICANS AND PRO-LIFE CONSERVATIVES CONTINUE TO TARGET PRO-LIFE DEMOCRATS

Monday, 12 July 2010 13:12 administrator
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The Republicans who dominate most mainstream pro-life groups are continuing the partisan attacks against the pro-life Democrats who supported the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA).  The Washington Post recently highlighted pro-life Democratic Congressman Steve Dreihaus (D-OH) and the misinformation campaign about the PPACA.  

The PPACA takes a major step towards protecting the health, dignity, and lives of all Americans. By greatly expanding coverage and ending bias, this law will bring adequate and affordable healthcare to millions who otherwise would have continued to suffer needlessly and die prematurely. 

Partisan Republicans, hoping to win back the House, are seeking a political advantage by trying to mislead voters that health care funds will be used to pay for abortion. However, pro-lifers need to realize that this strategy will hurt our movement. We already have a pro-life majority in the House due to the strong pro-life Democrats willing to stand up for their principles. Voting them out of office for Republican gains will be detrimental to the pro-life movement. Lasting progress on pro-life issues has always required bi-partisan support. We should be instead be focused on electing a pro-life Senate and securing a strong bi-partisan pro-life majority in both Houses. 

Democrats For Life of America is the only pro-life group defending the pro-life principles of the bill and the only pro-life group that will ensure that the Executive Order will not be overturned and no federal funds will be used for abortion.  We need your help so we can continue to support the pro-life democrats, ensure that Federal funds will not be used for abortion per the Executive Order and ensure that the Pregnancy Assistance Fund will be used as an effective tool to reduce abortion in this country.
Last Updated on Monday, 12 July 2010 13:17
 

Abortion and Key Provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) by Thomas C. Berg*

Monday, 12 July 2010 13:31 administrator
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Abortion and Key Provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA)

Thomas C. Berg*

The effect of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) on abortion has been the subject of much controversy, and pro-life members of Congress who voted for PPACA have received strong criticism as well as strong praise.  This memorandum has three purposes.  First, it provides a brief reminder that PPACA contains many provisions reflecting pro-life values and having pro-life effects.  Second, it assesses the two major criticisms of PPACA concerning abortion raised by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).  Although the USCCB has been the most detailed and thoughtful critic of the statute on abortion-related matters, this memorandum concludes that there are convincing answers to the USCCB’s criticisms and thus it was eminently reasonable for pro-life legislators to support PPACA. 

Finally, the memorandum concludes that it also makes perfect sense for a pro-life legislator to support further efforts to clarify restrictions on abortion funding and protections of religious conscience in the context of a stand-alone bill.  Unlike the context of the PPACA vote, enactment of stand-alone clarifications will not destroy health-reform legislation and its many positive pro-life features and effects.  But support for such further clarification should in no way be seized on as an admission that PPACA’s provisions against abortion funding were inadequate. 

Last Updated on Monday, 12 July 2010 13:58 Read more...
 

HEALTH CARE UPDATE: FUNDS TO ASSIST PREGNANT WOMEN TO BE RELEASED

Monday, 12 July 2010 13:04 administrator
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Abortion has been a divisive issue for decades, but there is room for common ground. Pro-life Americans have to set aside partisan politics when the lives of unborn children and their pregnant moms are at stake. 

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) included a common ground proposal championed by Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) that establishes a Pregnancy Assistance Fund. The Fund includes major parts of Democrats For Life of America's Pregnant Women Support Act, our highest priority legislative proposal.  The House version was introduced by Congressman Lincoln Davis (D-TN). 

 The competitive program will award grant money to states.  Twenty-five million will be allocated for fiscal years 2010 to 2019, with the first amount to be allocated this quarter. 

The funds have limitations. They must be used to help and support pregnant and parenting teens and women.  More specifically a state may make funds available to:    

  • Institutions of Higher Education to "establish, maintain, or operate pregnant and parenting student services."  A matching requirement from the institution of higher learning of 25 percent is required
  • High schools or community service centers to support pregnant and parenting teens
  • State Attorney Generals to assistant pregnant women who are victims of domestic violence, sexual violence, sexual assault or stalking
Increase public awareness of services available to pregnant and parenting teens and women such as WIC, SCHIP, Childcare, legal assistance, and other targeted support services
 
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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.