[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 129 (Friday, August 4, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1643-E1644]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


  DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND EDUCATION, AND 
               RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 1996

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                               speech of

                          HON. ELIZABETH FURSE

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, August 2, 1995

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 2127) making 
     appropriations for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human 
     Services, and Education, and related agencies for the fiscal 
     year ending September 30, 1996, and for other purposes:

  Ms. FURSE. Mr. Chairman it is cruel and callous to restrict Medicaid 
funding of abortions for rape and incest victims. When the Medicaid 
statute was written, Congress made clear its intention that it should 
cover all medically necessary services. I can hardly imagine a service 
more necessary than an abortion for a rape or incest survivor.
  Rape is a crime--punished the victims of the crime.

[[Page E 1644]]

  It is estimated that between 15 and 40 percent of women are victims 
of rape or attempted rape during their lifetime. Policies that force 
rape and incest survivors to continue a resulting pregnancy will cause 
additional suffering for women who much already overcome poverty and 
sexual violence.
  By an overwhelming margin of 84 percent, the public supports 
Government funding for abortion in cases of rape, according to a Time/
CNN poll.
  This bill also nullifies the requirement that medical residency 
programs must provide training in abortion techniques unless the 
individual or institution has a moral objection to it. And, it bans 
Federal funds from being used for embryo research which leading 
scientists and endocrinologists tell us may hold the key to curing such 
diseases as diabetes and Alzheimers.
  Mr. Chairman, this Congress is out of step on issues of women's 
reproductive health care. I urge my colleagues to stand up for women 
and vote against this very bad bill.
  Support Kolbe-Lowey admendment.
  

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