in Pennsylvania's First Congressional District
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pennsylvania's_1st_congressional_district http://archphila.org/pastplan/MAPS/Arch.pdf
and the Central Garden State

Monday, August 27, 2012

Pa SB 3 - a "Back to School" Update

The "Insurance Exchanges" of the 'Affordable Care Act" ("Obamacare")

"In 2014, individuals and employees of small businesses will have access to affordable coverage through a new competitive private health insurance market – State-based Affordable Insurance Exchanges" (HealthCare.gov).  Daniel Cardinal DiNardo, chair of the USCCB's Committee on Pro-Life Activities, warns that "some states implementing the Affordable Care Act have begun to claim that they can force all private health plans on their exchanges to cover elective abortion as an 'essential health benefit'" (7/17/12).  Surprisingly little attention has been paid to Pennsylvania's potential ability to prevent abortion coverage in its exchange! 

Pennsylvania Catholic Conference and Senate Bill 3 

As explained by the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference (6/29/12), "Now that it is known that the Affordable Care Act will stand, Pennsylvania must take action to prevent abortion coverage in the insurance exchanges.  Senate Bill 3...would prohibit insurance providers that participate in the insurance exchanges created by the federal health care reform law from covering elective abortion services."  As detailed by the Pennsylvania Family Institute (6/29/12): "Senate Bill 3 would prohibit abortion coverage (with certain...Medicaid exceptions) from being offered in Pennsylvania’s 'health insurance exchanges.' Without SB3, everyone who purchases insurance through a Pennsylvania exchange will be paying an additional premium for abortion coverage."

"Without SB3, everyone who purchases insurance through a Pennsylvania exchange will be paying an additional premium for abortion coverage."

Way back on 6/7/11, SB 3 passed the Pennsylvania Senate by a vote of 37 to 12.  Rather than simply put SB 3 up for a vote in the House, an identical bill with a different number was introduced; Pennsylvania HB 1977 passed the House by a vote on 146 to 45 on 12/12/11.  Subsequently, both bills languished....

The Pa Catholic Conference, the Pa Family Institute, the Pro Life Federation, and the Pro-Life Coalition of Pa were among those copied on a 7/24/12 letter to House Majority Leader Mike Turzai from leaders of the Pro Life Caucus in the Pa House:
  • "On behalf of the Pro-Life Caucus Leaders and Members and the various Pro-Life and Family Groups in Pennsylvania, we respectfully ask you to place SB 3 on the voting calendar to be voted upon when we return to Harrisburg the week of Septemer 24th....As you are well aware, SB 3 is legislation that already passed the Senate and can move straight to the Governor's office for his signature.  The recent U.S. Supreme Court decision...only demands we move quickly on the Abortion coverage issues"

Urge Turzai to bring SB 3 to a vote and Support the Pro Life Caucus 

Let's appeal to our representatives, who voted favorably on HB 1977, to join us in urging House Majority Leader Rep Mike Turzai (717-772-9943; 412-369-2230; mturzai@pahousegop.com) to bring SB 3 to a vote!  Please also ask them to contact Rep. Jerry Stern of the Pro Life Caucus to show support (717-787-9020; 814-695-2398; 814-684-6092; jstern@pahousegop.com)  From Bucks County, those representatives are: 

We need SB 3 passed and signed by Gov. Corbett.  We need this protection for our consciences!  

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