On January 22, the U.S. House of Representatives approved the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act of 2015 (H.R. 7), 242-yes, 179-no. This measure unites two separate bills. The No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act places in permanent law a consistent federal policy restricting the funding and promotion of abortion. The Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act requires qualified health plans under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to inform consumers about their abortion coverage and abortion payments.

Focus now turns to the Senate.

Recommended Actions:

• Send e-mails through NCHLA’s Action Center: Click Here.
• Contact your Senators by phone. Call the U.S. Capitol switchboard at: 202-224-3121, or call your Senators' local offices. Additional contact info can be found on Senators’ web sites at: www.senate.gov.

Suggested Message:
“Please support the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act. Our tax dollars should not be used to fund or promote abortion, and abortion coverage in health plans under the Affordable Care Act should be fully disclosed to enrollees.”

When: Contact your Senators today!

Background

The No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act would place in permanent law a consistent policy that the federal government should not use tax dollars to support or promote elective abortion. Since 1976 this principle has been embodied in the Hyde amendment and similar provisions in the annual appropriations bills. That longstanding policy should be applied to the ACA.

The Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act would ensure that enrollees are fully informed about abortion coverage and abortion premiums in the ACA’s health plans.

A September 15, 2014 U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) report identified over a thousand health plans under the ACA that cover elective abortions, many of which do not inform enrollees about the inclusion or cost of abortion coverage. Responding to this report, Cardinal Seán O’Malley of Boston, chairman of the bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities, reaffirmed the need to pass measures like H.R. 7. See: www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/abortion/cardinal....

1/22/15