[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 136 (Wednesday, November 24, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2139]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CONFERENCE REPORT ON H.R. 4818, CONSOLIDATED APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2005

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                               speech of

                           HON. TAMMY BALDWIN

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                      Saturday, November 20, 2004

  Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to protest the inclusion of 
the federal refusal clause in the FY2005 Omnibus Appropriations bill. 
As a strong supporter of a woman's constitutionally guaranteed right to 
choose, I fear that this provision chips away at this right and will 
place women's health in jeopardy.
  A woman's right to exercise control over her own body and to make her 
own health care decisions is vitally important. This right, as 
guaranteed by the United States Supreme Court in Roe v. Wade, has been 
the target of systematic attacks in recent years. This most recent 
attack--the federal refusal clause--is particularly egregious due to 
its radical change of current law.
  The federal refusal clause allows a broad range of health care 
entities to refuse to comply with existing federal, state, and local 
laws and regulations pertaining to abortion services. The bill severely 
limits patients' rights and access to services and information, thereby 
impeding their ability to make informed decisions about their health 
care options.
  This drastic departure from current law will have devastating effects 
on countless women. This clause would change existing law to say that 
federal, state, and local governments may not require a health care 
entity to perform, provide coverage of, pay for, or even refer for 
abortions. Further, the clause was drafted so as to encompass the 
broadest possible range of health care entities, including insurance 
companies, hospitals, HMOs, and many others.
  This clause will be far-reaching. It will override federal Title X 
guidelines ensuring women receive full information. It will strip 
states of their ability to set the parameters of their own Medicaid 
programs. It will block states' attempts to improve women's access to 
full reproductive health services.
  But most disturbing, the end result of this clause will be that women 
will be prevented from obtaining the reproductive health information 
and care they need and deserve.
  This radical change is unacceptable and I hope that my colleagues 
will join me in working to repeal this dangerous provision.

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