America needs H.R. 358, the Protect Life Act, in order to prevent public tax dollars from being used to pay for abortions under the new federal healthcare law.
Right now, only one thing prevents federal money from being used to pay for abortions under the new law: An executive order from President Obama saying that the Department of Health and Human Services shall abide by the Hyde Amendment in setting up the federal healthcare exchanges.
The Hyde Amendment prevents Medicaid funds from being used to pay for abortions, except in cases of rape, incest, or when the mother’s life is in danger. It is voted on annually by Congress.
At any time, Congress could choose not to renew the Hyde Amendment, or President Obama’s executive order could be rescinded. If either happens, there will be no federal legislation to prevent public tax dollars from being used to fund abortions. At best, it would be up to the individual states to try to pass legislation that would prevent abortion coverage from being included in the local health exchanges.
The bottom line: H.R. 358 ensures abortions will not be paid for using peoples’ tax dollars when the new federal healthcare law takes effect, regardless of what becomes of the Hyde Amendment or President Obama’s executive order.
