[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 98 (Thursday, July 18, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1295]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                               H.R. 4691

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOSEPH R. PITTS

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 18, 2002

  Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, last week, the Health Subcommittee held a 
hearing on the Abortion Non-Discrimination Act, H.R. 4691. The bill 
clarifies existing federal conscience protections that prohibit 
discrimination against health care entities that object to 
participating in abortion. This bill has the support of both faith-
based and secular health care providers.
  At the hearing, the subcommittee heard testimony from Karen Vosburgh, 
who serves on the board of Valley Hospital in Palmer, Alaska. Valley 
Hospital is a private non-sectarian hospital. But in 1997, the Alaska 
Supreme Court held that Valley Hospital was a ``quasi-public hospital'' 
and ordered it to open its doors for elective second trimester 
abortions.
  Most hospitals do not participate in abortions. According to the Alan 
Guttmacher Institute, 86% of all hospitals choose not to get involved 
in abortions. These are religious hospitals of all denominations, non-
religious private hospitals, and even public hospitals. There is a 
reason why: abortion is not health care. It is elective surgery that 
takes the life of an unborn child.
  Abortion advocates are trying to force hospitals to perform abortions 
against their will. This is wrong. No hospital should be forced to take 
the life of an unborn child against its will. Religiously-affiliated 
hospitals and hospitals that simply don't want to offer the elective 
procedure shouldn't have to.
  I hope the Congress acts quickly to pass the Abortion Non-
Discrimination Act, and I urge my colleagues to co-sponsor this 
legislation. I submit for the record a list of supporting 
organizations, and letters we have received from two of these 
organizations: the Catholic Health Association, and the Association of 
American Physicians and Surgeons.

             The Catholic Health Association of the United States,
                                                    June 17, 2002.
     Hon. Michael Bilirakas,
     Chairman, Subcommittee on Health, Committee on Energy and 
         Commerce, Washington, DC.
       Dear Congressman Bilirakas: On behalf of the Catholic 
     Health Association of the United States (CHA) I am writing to 
     express our support for HR 4691, the Abortion Non-
     Discrimination Act. Provisions in this legislation would 
     provide Catholic Health providers safeguards to continue 
     operating in a manner consistent with their moral beliefs and 
     principles.
       Increasingly, Catholic and other faith-based health care 
     providers have come under attack for not offering so-called 
     ``reproductive health servicer (e.g.--abortions, etc). In 
     recent years, we have seen orchestrated campaigns to force 
     Catholic health providers to offer services that conflict 
     with our values and moral principles. These campaigns have 
     led to legislation in several states and localities that 
     could force Catholic hospitals to close or substantially 
     reduce their services to the community. These threats 
     continue and fundamentally effect the ability of Catholic 
     Providers to deliver services to their communities.
       In several states and for certain federal programs, 
     Catholic and other faith-based providers have been able to 
     secure ``conscience clause'' protection against mandatory 
     provisions of objectionable services. Unfortunately, these 
     approaches are often inadequate and require ``year after 
     year-'' reauthorization. They fail to provide permanent 
     protection and assurances the Catholic providers can continue 
     to operate unencumbered.
       In addition to supporting HR 4691, CHA supports legislative 
     efforts to establish a permanent and comprehensive federal 
     conscience clause. We look forward to working with you and 
     the Committee to achieve these ends.
           Sincerely,
                                       Rev. Michael D. Place, STD,
                            President and Chief Executive Officer.


  Organizations Supporting the Abortion Non-Discrimination Act (ANDA) 
                           H.R. 4691/S. 2008

       Americans United for Life
       Association of American Physicians and Surgeons
       Catholic Health Association
       Catholic Medical Association
       Christian Coalition
       Christian Legal Society
       Christian Medical Association
       Christus Medicus
       Concerned Women for America
       Democrats for Life of America
       Eagle Forum
       Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, Southern Baptist 
     Convention
       Family Research Council
       Feminists for Life of America
       Focus on the Family
       Lutherans for Life
       National Council of Catholic Women
       National Organization of Episcopalians for Life
       National Right to Life Committee
       Presbyterians Pro-Life
       Seamless Garment Network
       Seventh Day Adventists, World Headquarters
       Susan B. Anthony List
       Traditional Values Coalition
       United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

       

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