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November 3, 2009
Ellsworth to House Leadership: Abortion Concerns Must Be Addressed
Offers Solution to Prevent Taxpayer-Funded Abortions, Guarantee Pro-Life Insurance Options in Health Care Overhaul
WASHINGTON - As health care reform legislation makes its way through Congress, one pro-life Congressman has pledged to withhold his support unless his concerns about taxpayer funding for abortions are addressed. Rep. Brad Ellsworth has urged House Leadership to include stronger language to prohibit federal funds from funding abortions as part of the final bill. However, Ellsworth is preparing to pursue alternative means to address pro-life concerns and has been drafting a floor amendment.
"When you're going into battle, it's a good idea to have a contingency plan," said Ellsworth. "The bottom line is we're going to exhaust every avenue to ensure pro-life concerns are addressed in this legislation."
Ellsworth's proposal would make 5 key pro-life changes to the bill; effectively preventing federal tax dollars from being used to fund abortions and ensuring Americans have access to pro-life insurance options in the proposed Health Insurance Exchange:
- Explicitly prevents all federal tax dollars from being used to provide abortions in the public option;
- Prohibits any funds from the US Treasury from paying for abortion services in any of the plans purchased through the proposed Health Insurance Exchange-private or public;
- Establishes clear, strict rules for separating public funds from the premiums of private individuals (ensuring that no public funds are ever used to pay for an abortion in any health plan offered on the Health Insurance Exchange);
- Guarantees every American participating in the Health Insurance Exchange will always have access to a pro-life insurance option;
- Expands conscience protections to prevent the government from discriminating against pro-life health insurance plans.
Ellsworth also reiterated his pledge to vote against health care reform if the House is not allowed to consider these or similar proposals:
"I remain concerned about the current language in the bill regarding federal funding and abortion services. As I have said repeatedly, I will not support a bill that I believe would result in federal tax dollars being used to provide abortions. Unless there is stronger language added to protect federal tax dollars and provide pro-life insurance options in the exchange, I cannot support it."
Ellsworth is a member of the House Pro-Life Caucus and has 100% pro-life voting record on abortion issues.
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