House stalls on one pro-life bill, passes another

Washington D.C., Jan 24, 2015 / 19:51 pm

On the 41st anniversary of the legalization of abortion in the U.S., the House passed a ban on federal funding of abortion, after delaying a vote on a different piece of pro-life legislation.

Cardinal Sean O'Malley of Boston, head of the U.S. bishops' pro-life committee, praised the vote, stating on Friday that "the House has taken a decisive step toward respect for unborn human life, reflecting the will of the American people."

Although President Obama promised that no taxpayer dollars would fund abortion coverage under the Affordable Care Act, the Government Accountability Office reported in September that some abortion coverage in some health plans was not billed separately by the insurance issuers, as required by the law. Thus, both unknowing consumers and federal subsidies were paying for abortion coverage.

The president had made his promise through an executive order, to quell concerns of a group of congressmen who opposed the bill because of abortion funding. The Affordable Care Act passed with their subsequent support.

In addition, many consumers found it difficult or even impossible to ascertain whether or not their health plan on the state insurance exchanges covered abortion.

The No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act solidifies Hyde Amendment restrictions already in place and prohibits any "funds authorized or appropriated by Federal law" from paying for abortion or abortion coverage. In addition, no federal health facilities or medical employees may perform abortions.

The House passed the bill on Thursday by a vote of 242-179, largely along party lines. Only one Republican opposed the bill – Rep. Richard Hanna (N.Y.). Three Democrats supported it – Rep. Dan Lipinski (Ill.), Rep. Henry Cuellar (Tex.), and Rep. Collin Peterson (Minn.).

The bill also mandates disclosure of the extent to which each plan under the Affordable Care Act includes abortion coverage.

"This lets Americans choose health coverage that reflects their values," Cardinal O'Malley said of the law. "Just as most Americans do not want their tax dollars used for abortion, they do not want their own health coverage misused to pay for abortions."

Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.) who sponsored the bill said it "will help save lives."

President Obama asserted his strong commitment to legal abortion on Thursday and launched a deep criticism of the law.

"I believe that efforts like H.R. 7, the bill the House considered today, would intrude on women's reproductive freedom and access to health care and unnecessarily restrict the private insurance choices that consumers have today," he said.

"The federal government should not be injecting itself into decisions best made between women, their families, and their doctors.  I am also deeply committed to continuing our work to reduce unintended pregnancies, support maternal and child health, promote adoptions, and minimize the need for abortion."

The House had scrambled to vote on the bill after having previously planned a vote on another pro-life bill, the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. That bill would ban abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy except in cases of rape, incest, or threat to the life of the mother.

That plan was scuttled at the last minute due to opposition led by Rep. Renee Ellmers (R-N.C.) and Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.). The two congresswomen took issue with language in the rape exemption clause, saying it should be reworked before voting.

Pro-life leaders expressed their disappointment at the House leadership pulling the vote but applauded the passage of the No Taxpayer Funding of Abortion Act.