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For Immediate
Release
6/7/11
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Senate Approves Ban on Taxpayer-Funded Elective Abortions
Senate Bill 3 would include federal healthcare under
existing restriction
The Senate today approved Senate Bill 3, a measure extending Pennsylvania's
prohibition on using public funding for elective abortions to the proposed new
insurance system created by the federal healthcare law, according to Senator Don
White, R-Indiana and prime sponsor of the measure.
SB 3 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 or
radical step for Pennsylvania, but rather an extension of the restrictions we
already have 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. The exceptions allowing for coverage of the procedure in
cases involving rape, incest or when the life of the woman is in danger are also
included in SB 3.
"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."
Senator White cautioned that Pennsylvania must not wait until 2014, when the
health care exchanges are to be operational, to act on the issue.
"In reality, SB 3 cannot be placed on the books soon enough. If the Federal
law stands as is and Pennsylvania fails to enact its own exchange measure, we
cede our authority to the Federal government," Senator White said. "Pennsylvania
taxpayers should be assured that state money will not be used in our
Commonwealth to support something that nearly 75 percent of the public opposes –
the use of public funds to provide elective abortions."
CONTACT:
Joe Pittman
(724) 357-0151
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