The following is a response from Congressman Tim Waltz:
Thank you for contacting me regarding potential funding for family planning services in H.R. 3200, America’s Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009. I appreciate hearing from you.
Health care costs continue to rise rapidly and too many Minnesotans are going without the coverage they need. As Congress continues to debate reform to our health insurance system, it is essential that we focus on common sense reform that serves the needs of all Americans. I am dedicated to making sure any reform improves stability and security in the health care system, providing peace of mind through more affordable care for the middle-class families I represent in southern Minnesota.
As we debate health insurance reform legislation, it is important to note that current law prohibits federal funding of abortion. The Hyde Amendment, passed in 1976, states that federal dollars cannot be used to pay for abortions except in cases of rape, incest or when the mother’s life is in danger. H.R. 3200 will not change this.
Furthermore, the Capps Amendment to H.R. 3200 reiterates that no public funds will be used for abortions except under the conditions stated by the Hyde Amendment.
The abortion debate is emotional and important for people on both sides of the issue. People of good conscience can and do disagree on the appropriate role of government in this matter. As for me, I am against criminalizing abortion. At the same time, I believe that we as a society should do everything in our power to reduce the need for abortions.
While I serve in Congress, you can count on me to support efforts to educate people about how to avoid unintended pregnancies that often lead to abortion. In addition, I support efforts to make people aware of alternatives to abortion, such as adoption.
I encourage you to study health reform proposals pending in Congress, as I am doing. For the text of the current House health care insurance reform proposal, H.R. 3200, please see http://www.thomas.gov. Also, you can visit the following House committee websites for more information: House Energy and Commerce Committee’s website at http://energycommerce.house.gov and the House Ways and Means Committee’s website at http://waysandmeans.house.gov. In the Senate, you may visit the Senate Finance Committee’s website at http://finance.senate.gov or the Senate HELP Committee’s website at http://help.senate.gov.
Thank you again for sharing your views with me, and I look forward to hearing from you again in the future. For more information about my activities representing southern Minnesota in Congress, please visit http://walz.house.gov and sign up for my e-newsletter.
Sincerely,
Tim Walz
Member of Congress
