HB 1977 / SB 3

Dear Representative Turzai, Senator Pillegi, and Governor Corbett,

The Pennsylvania Catholic Conference has supported An Act amending Title 40 (Insurance) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for compliance with Federal health care legislation (SB 3 / HB 1977):

• "SB 3 assures all Pennsylvanians covered by an exchange health plan that they will not be forced to pay a separate premium to cover elective abortion. Without SB 3, every person enrolled (man or woman) in a plan within the Pennsylvania state exchange would be required to make a payment to fund elective abortion coverage for others" (undated).



• "On Monday, December 12, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives voted 146 to 45 to remove abortion funding from the state health care exchanges that will be created by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA)....House Bill 1977 now goes to the state senate. This bill is similar to Senate Bill 3, which passed 37-12 in the Senate earlier this year, and has been sent to the house" (12/20/11).

After passing both houses and with us presently having a pro life governor, I do not understand why this legislation has not moved along quickly for Governor Corbett's signature. I fear that we are seeing a quiet acquiescence to those, such as Planned Parenthood, who are intent on seeing abortion coverage in the future Pennsylvania health insurance exchange:

• "PPSP is working with two coalitions at the state and regional level, Pennsylvanians for Choice and Raising Women's Voices of Southeastern Pennsylvania, to ensure that women's reproductive health care is not compromised during health care reform implementation efforts at the state level. Currently, PPSP is fighting a proposed ban on insurance plans from covering abortion procedures in Pennsylvania's state exchange, slated to be available for enrollment in 2014. The ban would drastically restrict Pennsylvania women's access to abortion services leaving women worse off than they currently are. Senate Bill 3 passed out of the PA Senate in June and will move to the PA House....House Bill 1977...passed out of the PA House and now moves to the PA Senate for consideration."

Please expedite this vital legislation.

Sincerely,