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For Immediate
Release
1/25/11
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Committee Approves Extending Ban on Taxpayer-Funded Abortions
Senate Bill 3 would include federal healthcare under
existing restriction
The Senate Banking and Insurance Committee today (January 25) approved
Senate Bill 3, a measure that would place a proposed new insurance system
created by the federal healthcare law under Pennsylvania's current restrictions
barring the use of public funding for elective abortions, according to Committee
Chairman Senator Don White (R-Indiana).
SB 3, introduced by Senator White, prohibits health insurers participating in
the taxpayer-subsidized state health insurance exchanges—an insurance system
created under the new federal health care law and currently slated to be
operational by 2014—from providing coverage for elective abortions.
"Under the Federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, states have
the authority to prohibit certain abortion coverage in these health plans and we
intend to exercise that power," Senator White said. "This is not a new step for
Pennsylvania, but rather an extension of the restrictions already in place for
medical assistance and other taxpayer subsidized programs."
The restriction on taxpayer-funded coverage of elective abortions proposed in
SB 3 is consistent with the Pennsylvania Medical Assistance Program and the
Abortion Control Act. There are exceptions allowing for coverage in cases
involving rape, incest or when the life of the woman is in danger.
"This is very straight forward," Senator White said. "Senate Bill 3 does not
ban abortions, nor does it bar insurance coverage offered in the private sector
from covering abortions. This legislation simply extends our standard
restriction on taxpayer-funded elective abortions to health insurance exchanges
-- in the event that they should be established -- and maintains uniformity with
our existing programs and policies."
CONTACT:
Joe Pittman
(717) 787-8724
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