Faithful Citizenship in Pa's 1st Congressional District and the Central Garden State

HB 818 

From the pulpit and in the bulletins, please remind your people of the words of the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference,

"The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) specifically allows states to prohibit providers that participate in the insurance marketplace from covering elective abortions. To assure that elective abortion is not included in the federal exchange in Pennsylvania, the Commonwealth must affirmatively opt out by passing a state law. House Bill 818 – without amendments- will clearly prohibit the taxpayer supported insurance plans from covering elective abortions. HB 818 does not eliminate coverage of abortions in taxpayer supported plans in the cases of rape, incest or to avert the death of the mother"

After passing the Pennsylvania House, HB 818 is now in the hands of the Pennsylvania Senate, as well as Governor Corbett.  The Pennsylvania Catholic Conference reminds us that "Voting 'yes' on HB 818 without amendments is the only genuine pro-life vote" (The Pennsylvania ProLife Federation also urges votes of "'YES' on House Bill 818 and 'no' on any amendments.").  The Pennsylvania Catholic Conference facilitates contact with your own elected officials: "Click here to send a message in support of HB 818 without amendment" [https://www.votervoice.net/PACC/Campaigns/25554/Respond].

Unfortunately, it is anticipated that Senate Minority Leader Jay Costa (who identifies himself as Catholic; costa@pasenate.com) will put forward weakening amendments.   It is vital that his Democratic colleagues - who have shown at least some pro life leaning - commit to supporting HB 818 WITHOUT amendments:

• Sen Richard Kasunic (identifies himself as Catholic; kasunic@pasenate.com)
• Sen Timothy Solobay (solobay@pasenate.com)
• Sen John Wozniak (wozniak@pasenate.com)
• Sen John Yudichak (identifies himself as Catholic; yudichak@pasenate.com)
• Sen James Brewster (brewster@pasenate.com)
• Sen Mike Stack (identifies himself as Catholic; stack@pasenate.com)

Unfortunately, at least three Republicans may support efforts to block/weaken HB 818.  They need our prayers and strong pro life feedback.  In the case of the Catholic, correction is certainly called for from Bucks County's priests and deacons:

• Sen Patricia Vance (vance@pasen.gov)
• Sen Lisa Baker (lbaker@pasen.gov)
• Sen Chuck McIlhinney (identifies himself as Catholic; cmcilhinney@pasen.gov)

In addition to McIlhinney, there are three other state senators from Bucks,

• only Bob Mensch (bmensch@pasen.gov) receives a very unfavorable rating from pro-abortion Planned Parenthood. Bucks County should be rightfully proud of Bob Mensch! 
• Pro-abortion Planned Parenthood gives mixed ratings to both Stewart Greenleaf (sgreenleaf@pasen.gov) and Tommy Tomlinson (rtomlinson@pasen.gov).  Senators Greenleaf and Tomlinson need strong pro life feedback from Bucks Countians!