SB 3 / HB 1977: "frustratingly unresolved" (Pa Catholic Conference)

As per a May 10th update from the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference, "Several issues in Washington, DC and Harrisburg right now are frustratingly unresolved [Well said!]."  After passing the Pennsylvania Senate 37 to 12 almost one year ago and passing the Pennsylvania House 146 to 45 in December, Senate Bill 3 (and its companion) House Bill 1977 are at a standstill (You can check the Pennsylvania General Assembly's web site for updates.).

This inertia certainly has to play right into the hands of those powerful pro-abortion forces who opposed this legislation from the start.  They would certainly like nothing more than to see Senate Bill 3 and House Bill 1977 derailed:

• "House Bill 1977 prohibits insurance companies from covering abortion care in the insurance exchange created by the federal healthcare reform law, with exceptions for cases of rape, incest, and imminent death....'The state House is a health hazard,' said Andy Hoover, legislative director of the ACLU of Pennsylvania. 'That chamber is a danger to women's health. Either they don't understand the healthcare needs of women or they don't care'....The House is likely to vote on final passage of HB 1977 sometime next week" (ACLU of Pennsylvania, 12/7/11).
• "If a few bills slowly making their way to Gov. Corbett’s desk are enacted, abortions could become more expensive and generally harder to obtain.  Two near-identical bills—Senate Bill 3 and House Bill 1977, which passed the House Monday night—seek to take away insurance coverage for abortions under Obamacare (aka the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act). The president’s plan will require states to establish a health exchange for people to buy medical insurance....'I’m just amazed at the people who are going to vote for this bill,' said Rep. Babette Josephs (D-Philadelphia) before the 146-45 vote. 'They trust their constituents to vote for them, but not to make decisions for their own lives. That is unacceptable'" (Philadelphia Weekly, 12/14/11).
• "SB 3 and HB 1977 would ban insurance companies participating in the yet-to-be established state health insurance exchange from offering abortion coverage....Without coverage for abortion services, women will be forced to seek care from non-reputable providers....HB 1977 passed out of the House on December 13th and will move to the Senate for consideration. Call the Governor at 717-787-2500 to express your opposition" (Pennsylvanians for Choice, undated).
• "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....in Early December, a similar bill in House, House Bill 1977 sponsored by Rep. Baker from Tioga County, passed out of the PA House and now moves to the PA Senate for consideration" (Planned Parenthood of Southeast Pennsylvania, undated)
• "On December 12, 2011, the Pennsylvania House of Representative passed HB 1977 by a vote of 146-45....We need to call your Senator and members of the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee. We need them to vote NO on House Bill 1977.  Please tell your senator that women need access to safe, affordable comprehensive reproductive health care services, and to please vote NO on HB 1977. Women's lives depend on it" (Women's Law Project, undated).

The great Edmund Burke noted that "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men [and good women] do nothing."  What has become of the backbones of those 37 senators (including all 4 from Bucks County) and 146 representatives (including 27+ Catholics) who did the right thing last June and last December?  By not demanding that the House and Senate majority leaders move forward and get this legislation signed by the governor, are they now playing both sides of the fence? 

This situation certainly leads to questions as to whether some of those who voted for SB 3 and HB 1977 are truly on our side.  For political expedience, it seems that some would like the label "pro life" without needing to stand up to defend the lives of the defenseless.  To paraphrase some not-so-great men, "Let's get down on our knees and pray we don't get fooled again."