Dahlkemper Statement on Upholding Ban on Use of Federal Funds for Elective Abortion Print E-mail
Thursday, 15 July 2010 13:56
Washington—Congresswoman Kathy Dahlkemper today released the following statement about the ban on the use of federal funds for elective abortion services in state-run insurance plans:

“The law is explicit: no federal funds will be used for elective abortions under the new health care reform. The Executive Order signed by the president on March 24th clearly states that under the Affordable Health Care for America Act: ‘Federal funds are not used for abortion services (except in cases of rape or incest, or when the life of the woman would be endangered), consistent with a longstanding Federal statutory restriction that is commonly known as the Hyde Amendment.’

“I am calling on Secretary Sebelius and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to make absolutely clear to the states that any federally funded insurance plan or program will not include elective abortion whatsoever. HHS must also make it perfectly clear that violating federal law regarding abortion funding will have consequences.

“This ban is unequivocal regarding the use of federal funds for elective abortions. If a state does not uphold that ban in a federally-funded health care plan, that state should not be a recipient of federal funds for that program.”