Washington D.C., Dec 11, 2003 / 22:00 pm
A new act, which does not discriminate against health-care professionals who choose not to perform an abortion, received praise from an official of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
This legislation responds to the co-ordinated effort to force health-care providers – hospitals, insurance providers, and outpatient clinics – to provide, pay for, and make referrals for abortion.
"Forced abortion participation has no place in a country that respects the right of conscience for all," said Cathy Cleaver Ruse, Esq., the director of planning and Information for the USCCB Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities. "Congress has another opportunity to protect health-care providers who do not want to participate in abortions.”
On Dec. 8, Congressman Mike Bilirakis (R-FL) re-introduced the bipartisan Abortion Non-Discrimination Act (ANDA) in the House of Representatives, H.R. 3664. The bill had previously passed the House in 2002. Senate bill S. 1397, introduced by Senator Judd Gregg (R-NH), also enjoys bipartisan sponsorship. This legislation would prohibit governmental discrimination against health-care providers, who decline to be involved in abortion.