Washington D.C., Sep 18, 2009 / 16:40 pm
The pro-life group Americans United for Life Action says it is still “deeply concerned” about abortion funding in health care reform following its meeting with White House officials.
Americans United for Life Action (AULA) President and CEO Dr. Charmaine Yoest met on Thursday with Melody Barnes, who is Director of the Domestic Policy Council, and Tina Tchen, the White House Director for Public Liaison.
Dr. Yoest asked the White House to clarify President Obama’s statements supporting the exclusion of abortion from health care reform, an AULA press release says.
She presented a legal brief on the necessity of an explicit abortion funding and coverage ban prepared by the Americans United for Life. Yoest also delivered a petition with over 39,000 signatures from pro-life Americans urging a veto on any bill that does not specifically forbid requiring insurance companies to cover abortion.
"After the meeting, we remain deeply concerned about abortion funding and the abortion mandate in health care reform. Ms. Barnes reiterated the President's statement about opposing abortion funding in his address before Congress last week but the White House would not commit to language that explicitly excludes abortion from health care reform.
“The reality on the Hill right now is that the health care bills do include abortion funding,” Yoest added. She said an explicit ban on abortion funding is necessary and that the pro-life movement will “vigorously” oppose the inclusion of abortion in health care.
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