WASHINGTON – As the Bush Administration takes action challenging reproductive rights in this country in its remaining days, U.S. Reps. Diana DeGette (D-CO) and Louise Slaughter (D-NY), co-chairs of the Congressional Pro-Choice Caucus, introduced legislation that would prohibit a dangerous proposed Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) regulation from being implemented. The measure was cosponsored by U.S. Reps. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Lois Capps (D-CA), Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), and Jan Schakowsky (D-IL). The proposed HHS rule would require any health care entity that receives federal financing to certify in writing that none of its employees are required to assist in any way with medical services they find objectionable. The legislation introduced today would keep HHS from moving forward with this rule.
“The Bush Administration’s 11th hour attempt to restrict access to
reproductive health care is not only abusive, but also threatens
everyone’s access to other vital health care services,” said Rep.
DeGette, Vice Chair of the Committee on Energy and Commerce. “This
legislation sends a clear message that this is the wrong direction for
health care policy in America. The Bush Administration continues to
pursue its extreme ideology over sound public health care policies even
as it enters its final days.”
“Eight continuous years of
trouncing on women's reproductive rights and playing politics with
science has obviously not been enough for this Administration,” said
Rep. Slaughter, Chairwoman of the House Committee on Rules. “As its
parting gift to women across this country, the Administration has
proposed a sweeping rule that goes beyond a woman’s right to choose,
beyond a woman’s right to contraception and puts everyone’s access to
health care at risk. Even as the EEOC, including Bush appointees,
strenuously objects to this rule, the Administration’s unconscionable
actions really show you just how out of touch they are with women and
their families. In the 111th Congress, I hope we can focus on reducing
the need for abortions through my bill, the Prevention First Act, which
will empower women and expand access to affordable contraception.”
DeGette, Slaughter, and 124 other Members of Congress sent a letter
to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in late September
opposing the proposed rule, which would significantly undermine
patients’ access to vital health services and information. The letter
argued that the “ill-conceived and unnecessary proposed rule puts
politics and ideology before quality health care.” Senators Hillary
Clinton (D-NY) and Patty Murray (D-WA) introduced the Senate companion
bill earlier today.