Dear Member of Congress:
The National Right to Life Committee (NRLC), the federation of state right-to-life organizations, urges you to support the Women’s Public Health and Safety Act (H.R. 3495), sponsored by Congressman Sean Duffy, when it comes before the House of Representatives on September 29.
According to a Government Accountability Office report released March 20, 2015, PPFA received $344.5 million in federal funds over three fiscal years (2010-2012), and another $1.2 billion in funding from Medicaid (a combination of state and federal funds), for a three-year total of $1.5 billion from federal programs.
PPFA is also the nation’s largest provider of abortions. Over one-third of all abortions in the U.S. are performed at PPFA-affiliated facilities – indeed, one senior Planned Parenthood official boasted in 2014, “We have 40 percent of the [abortion] market in the whole country.” PPFA now defines abortion as a “core” service, which means that PPFA requires every PPFA affiliate to provide abortions. For additional up-to-date information on the extent of Planned Parenthood’s involvement in abortion, see: www.nrlc.org/communications/ppfamediabackground/
Longstanding objections to the massive federal funding of PPFA have been reinforced by recent widely publicized undercover videos, which illuminate involvement by some PPFA affiliates and executives in the harvesting and selling of baby body parts. These highly troubling videos have triggered ongoing investigations by multiple congressional committees and by authorities in many states.
H.R. 3495 would make it clear that federal law does not prevent a state from, at its option, excluding organizations that provide elective abortions from the Medicaid program. We urge you to support this vital legislation. NRLC intends to include the roll call on passage of H.R. 3495 in our scorecard of key pro-life roll calls of the 114th Congress.
The National Right to Life Committee (NRLC) has called on Congress to support the Women’s Public Health and Safety Act (H.R. 3495). This legislation aims to grant states greater authority to exclude abortion providers, including organizations like Planned Parenthood, from Medicaid programs. The NRLC’s endorsement underscores the significance of this bill within the broader context of the pro-life movement’s legislative strategy.
Overview of the Women’s Public Health and Safety Act
The Women’s Public Health and Safety Act, introduced by Representative Sean Duffy (R-WI), seeks to amend the Social Security Act. Specifically, it would allow states to determine which healthcare providers are eligible for Medicaid funding, explicitly including the ability to exclude entities that perform abortions.
Key Provisions
- State Authority: Grants states the explicit right to exclude abortion providers from Medicaid without risking federal funding.
- Federal Funding Protections: Ensures that states choosing to exercise this right do not face penalties or loss of federal Medicaid funds.
- Focus on Non-Abortion Services: Emphasizes that states can redirect Medicaid funds to other healthcare providers that do not offer abortion services, potentially increasing funding for community health centers and other primary care providers.
NRLC’s Support and Rationale
The NRLC’s advocacy for H.R. 3495 is grounded in its mission to protect human life from conception. The organization views this bill as a critical step toward reducing public funding for abortion services and supporting alternatives that align with pro-life values.
Protecting Life
The NRLC argues that taxpayer dollars should not support organizations that perform abortions. By allowing states to exclude such providers from Medicaid, the bill aligns with pro-life principles and reduces indirect public endorsement of abortion.
Enhancing Women’s Health
Proponents, including the NRLC, assert that reallocating Medicaid funds to non-abortion healthcare providers can enhance women’s health by expanding access to comprehensive and ethical healthcare services. This includes increasing support for prenatal care, maternal health services, and other critical healthcare needs.
State Flexibility
The NRLC emphasizes the importance of state sovereignty in determining Medicaid eligibility. By empowering states to make decisions based on their constituents’ values and healthcare needs, the bill promotes localized control and accountability.
Opposition and Counterarguments
While the NRLC strongly supports H.R. 3495, the bill faces significant opposition from pro-choice advocates and organizations that provide reproductive health services, including Planned Parenthood.
Impact on Healthcare Access
Critics argue that excluding abortion providers from Medicaid could reduce access to essential healthcare services, particularly for low-income women. They highlight that many providers, like Planned Parenthood, offer a wide range of health services beyond abortion, including cancer screenings, contraception, and STD testing.
Legal and Ethical Concerns
Opponents also raise legal and ethical concerns about the potential discrimination against healthcare providers based on the range of services they offer. They argue that the bill could undermine established legal precedents protecting abortion rights and access to comprehensive reproductive healthcare.
Broader Legislative Context
The Women’s Public Health and Safety Act is part of a broader legislative effort by pro-life advocates to limit public funding for abortion and promote policies that align with their values.
Previous and Parallel Legislation
H.R. 3495 follows similar efforts to defund Planned Parenthood and restrict federal funding for abortion-related services. These legislative initiatives reflect the ongoing polarization and activism surrounding abortion rights in the United States.
Future Implications
If passed, the bill could set a precedent for further state-level restrictions on public funding for abortion providers. It could also influence future federal policies and judicial interpretations regarding the balance between state authority and federally protected reproductive rights.
Conclusion
The National Right to Life Committee’s call for Congress to support the Women’s Public Health and Safety Act (H.R. 3495) highlights a critical moment in the pro-life movement’s legislative agenda. By advocating for state authority to exclude abortion providers from Medicaid, the NRLC aims to reduce public funding for abortion and promote alternative healthcare services that align with pro-life values. As the debate over H.R. 3495 continues, its potential impact on reproductive health policy and women’s access to healthcare services remains a pivotal issue for lawmakers and advocates on both sides of the aisle.
Daniel Miller is responsible for nearly all of National Right to Life News' political writing.
With the election of Donald Trump to the U.S. presidency, Daniel Miller developed a deep obsession with U.S. politics that has never let go of the political scientist. Whether it's the election of Joe Biden, the midterm elections in Congress, the abortion rights debate in the Supreme Court or the mudslinging in the primaries - Daniel Miller is happy to stay up late for you.
Daniel was born and raised in New York. After living in China, working for a news agency and another stint at a major news network, he now lives in Arizona with his two daughters.
