[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 125 (Monday, September 30, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1677]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                ABORTION NON-DISCRIMINATION ACT OF 2002

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. CLIFF STEARNS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 25, 2002

  Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Speaker, I come to the Floor this morning to express 
my strong support of the Abortion Non-Discrimination Act (ANDA). I 
believe the rights of religious hospitals and other health care 
entities who may be opposed, in conscience to abortion, from ever 
having to perform, provide medical training or fund induced abortions 
should be protected.
  Lynn Wardle, Professor of Law at Brigham Young University, in his 
testimony before the Energy and Commerce Committee this summer noted, 
ANDA, ``The basic issue in the Abortion Non-Discrimination Act is 
forced abortion. A forced abortion occurs not only when a woman is 
forced to have an abortion she does not want, but also when a health-
care provider is forced to provide or participate in an abortion 
against her will. The right of individuals and organizations of 
individuals to choose in accordance with their conscience to not have 
and to not participate in abortion must be protected against extremists 
who are trying to coerce others to provide abortion services that these 
extremists want but which others find morally repugnant. That is what 
ANDA is about.'' The rights of individuals to choose according to their 
conscience must be protected; it is the principle of freedom that we 
have the duty to defend.
  As we face an ever-increasing rise in the cost of managed care many 
smaller, private, sometimes religious hospitals are forced to merge 
with larger hospitals in order to survive. Conscience protection would 
ensure that these smaller, often denominational, hospitals would not 
have to choose between providing services that violate their conscience 
and closing their doors. These hospitals were often first organized to 
serve the poor and needy, it is these very people that will suffer 
should these hospitals be forced to close. The heart of the matter is 
this: Health care entities, as well as individuals, deserve the right 
to choose.
  Currently, 49 states have some kind of conscience protection for 
health care providers. It is time we clarify in law once and for all 
every doctor, hospital, and individual's right to act according to his 
or her conscience.

                          ____________________