[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 102 (Monday, July 19, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1594]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          PERSONAL EXPLANATION

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHRISTOPHER SHAYS

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 19, 1999

  Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, on Thursday, July 15, I inadvertently voted 
``nay'' when I meant to vote ``aye'' on rollcall vote 303, the Lowey 
amendment to H.R. 2490, the Fiscal Year 2000 (FY 00) Treasury-Postal 
Appropriations Act.
  I support the provision in H.R. 2490 to require Federal Employee 
Health Benefit Plans (FEHBP) which provide prescription plans to 
include coverage of all FDA-approved contraceptive drugs and devices.
  I oppose the amendment offered by Congressman Chris Smith to allow 
health plans to opt out of providing contraceptive coverage by claiming 
a ``moral conviction.'' I was happy to see the passage of the Lowey 
substitute amendment to strike this exemption for health plans.
  It is my hope the Lowey amendment will help reduce unwanted 
pregnancies while providing women with contraceptive coverage. While 
the FY 00 Treasury-Postal Appropriations Act covers only women in the 
FEHBP, I believe it is a positive step forward in ensuring 
contraceptive coverage is available to women in a majority of health 
plans.
  As an original cosponsor of H.R. 2120, the Equity in Prescription and 
Contraceptive Coverage Act, introduced by Representatives Jim Greenwood 
and Nita Lowey, I will continue to work to provide access to family 
planning services.

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