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| September 30th, 2009 |
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Media Contact(s): Mark Eddington and Andrea Saul, 202-224-5251 |
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Printable Version |
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HATCH REACTS TO SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE VOTES ON IMPORTANT ABORTION AMENDMENTS
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WASHINGTON – Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), member of the Senate Finance Committee, today responded to the committee’s vote against his amendment that would ensure taxpayers’ dollars will not be used to fund abortions through the new programs or subsidies created in the current health bill. The amendment failed 13-10.
“The American people do not want, and should not be expected, to foot the bill for abortions,” said Hatch. “I am very disappointed that the Senate Finance Committee did not accept my amendment that would ensure this did not happen, especially given the fact that Chairman Baucus has made it clear during this mark-up that he did not want federal taxpayer dollars to pay for abortions.
“That being said, I will fight tooth and nail to make sure once this bill gets to the floor it is clear in the language that taxpayers’ dollars will not be used to fund abortions through the new programs nor through subsidies created in the bill.”
Hatch’s amendment essentially codifies the Hyde language to ensure no federal funds may be used to pay for or subsidize coverage of abortion (except for rape, incest and life of the mother), which Congress has included in appropriations bills for many years. During the HELP Committee’s consideration of its health reform bill, Hatch offered an amendment to reflect that intent, and his goal of this amendment is to incorporate that same legislative language in the Finance bill reported to the Senate.
Some have contested that this amendment is not necessary because the Hyde Amendment prevents federal funding of abortion or the purchase of plans that cover abortion. However, because this bill both authorizes and provides the funding for the premium subsidies, no future appropriations bill would be necessary in regards to this specific funding. Hatch plans to continue this fight.
Sen. Hatch also responded to the committee’s vote against his amendment that would prohibit the federal government, state governments and local governments from forcing health providers, such as hospitals and physicians, to provide abortions. His amendment also prohibits governmental bodies from receiving federal dollars if they take action against any health care provider because the provider does not cover, provide or make references for abortions; in short, from discriminating against those who do not want to perform, cover or make references for abortions. The vote also failed 13-10.
“I am disappointed in the committee’s vote against providing conscience protection for health plans that do not want to facilitate abortions,” said Hatch. “I do not feel that any persons with deeply held religious or moral beliefs should be put in any situation where they would be forced to perform abortions.”
“Although these two very important amendments fell short today, you can rest assured that I will continue to fight for these vital issues.”
Hatch’s amendment is similar to an amendment offered by Congressmen Stupak, Pitts and Terry to the health reform bill considered by the House Energy and Commerce Committee. The amendment would include the Hyde/Weldon Conscience Protection language, which has been approved by Congress every year since 2004 as part of the Labor/HHS appropriations bill, to the Finance bill reported to the full Senate. The amendment was accepted by the House Energy and Commerce Committee members by voice vote.
His amendment is different from the Hyde/Weldon language in one important way – instead of federal agencies or state and local governments being prohibited from receiving federal funds, it would designate the Office for Civil Rights in the Department of Health and Human Services to receive complaints of discrimination and coordinate the investigation of such complaints.
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