Washington- Rep. Joe Pitts (PA-16) introduced H.R. 5111, the Protect Life Act, bipartisan legislation to apply the Hyde amendment to the recently passed healthcare law.

The bill amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to prevent federal funding for abortion or abortion coverage through government exchanges, community health centers, or any other program funded or created by PPACA.  Additionally, the bill protects the right of conscience for health care professionals and ensures that private insurance companies are not forced to cover abortion.

The Protect Life Act would afford the same pro-life protections that were approved with bipartisan support in the House last year. The bill is introduced with 50 Democrat and Republican cosponsors.

Rep. Pitts’ statement follows:

“Last fall a strong bipartisan majority in the House insisted that the pro-life principles of the Hyde amendment should apply to the new healthcare law. Unfortunately, the legislation ultimately signed by the President lacked these critical safeguards.

“A majority of Americans have consistently shown they oppose federal funding for abortion.  The new health care law is riddled with loopholes that allow taxpayer subsidies for coverage that includes abortion. My new bill would extend longstanding policy by preventing federal dollars from being used to pay for abortion coverage.

“I’m proud to have strong support from both sides of the aisle. I never want protecting life to be a partisan issue.”

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