SB 3 / HB 1977 is needed, to resist Obamacare abortion funding in Pennsylvania

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The Pennsylvania Catholic Conference threw its support behind 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).  From Bucks County, Senators Greenleaf, McIlhinney, Mensch, and Tomlinson all voted in favor of SB 3.  


• "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).  From Bucks County, Representatives Clymer, DiGirolamo, Farry, Galloway, O'Neill, Petri, Quinn, and Watson voted for HB 1977.  Representatives Tina Davis and Steve Santarsiero voted AGAINST HB 1977. 

It is noteworthy that Senate majority leader Dominic Pillegi, House majority leader Mike Turzai, and Governor Tom Corbett are all identified as pro life Catholics.  So, it is particularly ironic that, instead of moving along quickly for Governor Corbett's signature, there has been no further action on SB 3 / HB 1977.  We seem to be seeing a quiet acquiescence to those who voted against SB 3, those who voted against HB 1977, Planned Parenthood and all who are intent on seeing abortion coverage in the future Pennsylvania health insurance exchange.

In a recent visit to Lower Bucks County, Representative Kathy Rapp (a Protestant) commented admiringly on the Catholic hierarchy holding elected officials accountable for votes on life issues.  On this particular legislation, Senators Greenleaf, McIlhinney, Mensch, and Tomlinson went to bat for us and voted in favor of SB 3. Similarly Representatives Clymer, DiGirolamo, Farry, Galloway, O'Neill, Petri, Quinn, and Watson did the right thing and voted for HB 1977.  Yet at this point in time, those who want abortion funding in the future Pennsylvania health insurance exchange are ruling the day! 

Please demand that Senate majority leader Dominic Pillegi (dpileggi@pasen.gov), House majority leader Mike Turzai (Mturzai@pahousegop.com), and Governor Tom Corbett (governor@pa.gov) show the fortitude to expedite SB 3 / HB 1977, making it law in Pennsylvania.