Important Update: No Taxpayer Funding of Abortion in Pennsylvania

From Maria, Gallagher, Legislative Director

Our calls are making a difference!

Pennsylvania House Bill 818, which would ensure that Pennsylvania opts-out of abortion funding in the state health insurance exchange created in the Affordable Care Act, was voted on and passed out of the state House Health Committee on Monday.

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Donna Oberlander, R-Armstrong, may be considered for a vote by the whole House of Representatives as early as Wednesday, April 17.

It is still critical that we continue to call our state representatives and tell them, "I don't want public funds to pay for abortion in Pennsylvania. Please support House Bill 818, with no amendments."

If you don't know who your state Representative is, please go to  use this link and type in your street address, city, and zip code.  A window will then pop up with the name and contact information for your state Representative.  Please call both the Capitol and the district offices.

Background:  The Affordable Care Act, also known as the federal health care law, contains a provision which allows states to opt out of abortion funding in the new health insurance exchanges operating in their state as a result of "health care reform."  Twenty-one states have already passed legislation to opt out of this abortion funding. 

House Bill 818 simply continues Pennsylvania's long-standing policy of banning public funding of abortion.  National public opinion polls have consistently shown that the vast majority of Americans oppose taxpayer funding of abortion.  Research has also shown that abortion rates rise dramatically when public funding of abortion occurs.

If you have any questions, please call Legislative Director Maria Gallagher at 717-541-0034.

Thanks for making these critical calls!  Please share this urgent alert with pro-life friends and family members.  Remember, preborn girls and boys and their mothers and fathers are counting on you!