Protect Life Act
The Protect Life Act (H.R. 358) is a bill introduced to the 112th United States Congress in the House of Representatives by Rep. Joe Pitts (R-PA). The bill has 121 co-sponsors, including 6 Democrats.[1] It would make several amendments to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
The bill was initially referred to the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Subcommittee on Health, of which Pitts is the ranking majority member. The committee approved it 33 to 19.[2]
On October 13, 2011, the Republican-controlled House of Representatives passed the bill; however, it was judged unlikely to pass the Democratic Senate, and President Obama stated that he would veto it if it reached his desk.[3]
Provisions
- Ban the use of federal funds to cover any costs of any health care plan that covers abortions. (This would extend previous restrictions on abortion coverage, which currently ban the use of federal funds for abortion and require federal funds and abortion-related funds to be kept separate.) Require the Office of Personnel Management director to make sure no health plans that fall under the Exchange cover abortions.
- Require any entity offering, through a federal exchange, a health care plan that covers abortions to also offer an otherwise identical one that does not cover abortions.
- Prohibit government agencies from "discriminating" against health care providers who refuse to undergo, require, provide, or refer for training to perform abortions.
- Allow remedies to be sought in court for violations of PPACA abortion provisions.
These provisions match those included in an amendment to the PPACA adopted by the House in 2009 but not included in the final language.[2]
Floor debate
During the House of Representatives floor debate, Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA) described her experience of a miscarriage that necessitated a therapeutic abortion, saying "I was pregnant, I was miscarrying, I was bleeding...If I had to go from one hospital to the next trying to find one emergency room that would take me in, who knows if I would even be here today."[3]
Reactions
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Family Research Council praised the bill for its limitations on abortion.[4][5] Pro-choice organizations including NARAL Pro-Choice America, the National Abortion Federation, and the Center for Reproductive Rights stated that the bill would allow hospitals to deny women abortions necessary to save their lives in cases where continuing the pregnancy would kill them.[6][7][8] Nancy Keenan of NARAL and Nancy Northup of the Center for Reproductive Rights both suggested that these provisions would overrule the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA), which sets out a minimum standard of care for hospitals receiving patients in critical condition.[9][8]
See also
References
- ^ Congressional Research Service. "H.R. 358: Protect Life Act". GovTrack. http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h112-358. Retrieved 2011-02-14.
- ^ a b "Energy and Commerce Adopts Oversight Plan and Approves Protect Life Act, Additional Health Care Legislation". Targeted News Service. February 15, 2011. http://www6.lexisnexis.com/publisher/EndUser?Action=UserDisplayFullDocument&orgId=574&topicId=27010&docId=l:1360757406&start=13.
- ^ a b Bassett, Laura (October 13, 2011). "Protect Life Act Passes House: Congress Passes Controversial Anti-Abortion Bill". Huffington Post. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/13/protect-life-act-passes-house-of-representatives_n_1009876.html.
- ^ "Bishops’ Pro-Life Office Hails House Committee Move to Protect Life". February 18, 2011. http://www.dfwcatholic.org/bishops-pro-life-office-hails-house-committee-move-to-protect-life12376/.html.
- ^ "FRC Praises Health Subcommittee's Approval of the 'Protect Life Act'" (Press release). PR Newswire. February 11, 2011. http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/frc-praises-health-subcommittees-approval-of-the-protect-life-act-115978644.html.
- ^ Saporta, Vicki (February 11, 2011). "‘Protect Life Act’ puts women’s lives at risk". The Hill. http://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/healthcare/143535-so-called-protect-life-act-puts-womens-lives-at-risk.
- ^ "New Bill, New Problems for Anti-Choice Politicians" (Press release). NARAL Pro-Choice America. February 3, 2011. http://www.prochoiceamerica.org/media/press-releases/2011/pr02032011_refusal-bill.html.
- ^ a b Northup, Nancy (February 14, 2011). "Put emergency care ahead of religious beliefs". The Hill. http://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/healthcare/143827-put-emergency-care-ahead-of-religious-beliefs.
- ^ Keenan, Nancy (February 9, 2011). "“Protect Life Act” (H.R.358): An Unacceptable Ban on Women’s Access to Abortion Coverage". NARAL Pro-Choice America. http://www.prochoiceamerica.org/assets/download-files/hr358-testimony.pdf.