Americans United for Life Action endorses amendment to prohibit abortion mandates and funding in HR 3962

Americans United for Life Action endorses a key vote today on the House floor of the Stupak-Ellsworth-Pitts-Kaptur-Dahlkemper-Lipinski-Smith Amendment, an Amendment that blocks any federal money from going to abortion in health care reform.

Americans United for Life Action's President and CEO Dr. Charmaine Yoest said, "Americans United for Life Action strongly supports the Stupak-Ellsworth-Pitts-Kaptur-Dahlkemper-Lipinski-Smith Amendment to prohibit abortion mandates and funding in HR 3962. As currently drafted H.R. 3962 fails to adequately prevent abortion coverage and funding."

H.R. 3962 explicitly allows qualifying individuals to apply their affordability credits to private insurance plans that cover abortion. The bill also permits the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services ("HHS") to offer coverage for abortions in the Public Option. Furthermore, if the Hyde Amendment, which lapses if not renewed yearly, is ever eliminated from HHS Appropriations, the bill would mandate coverage of all abortions under the public plan. In addition, the bill also requires that at least one private plan in every premium rating area must provide coverage for all abortions.

Dr. Yoest added, "The passage of a health care reform bill with these provisions is unacceptable to pro-life Americans. We strongly encourage the U.S. House of Representatives to vote in favor of the Stupak-Ellsworth-Pitts-Kaptur-Dahlkemper-Lipinski-Smith Amendment when it comes to the floor for a vote."

AUL Action sent a letter this morning to members of the House of Representatives expressing our deep concern over life-related provisions in the bill.

The letter alerted House Members that AUL Action will score the vote on the Stupak-Ellsworth-Pitts-Kaptur-Dahlkemper-Lipinski-Smith Amendment.

AUL Action will also oppose the final passage of H.R. 3962 and record the roll call vote on the final passage in our annual scorecard.

AUL Action has also alerted our pro-life grassroots network that this vote is critical to the pro-life movement and urged them to immediately contact their Congressmen.