Subject: 9-24-02-ACLU Action Update: Oppose Federal Immunity from
Laws on Abortion Access
TO: ACLU Action Network FR: Angela Colaiuta,
National Field Organizer
SUB: ACLU Action Update: Oppose Federal
Immunity from Laws on Abortion Access DT: 9-24-02
This week,
the House of Representatives is expected to vote on legislation that would allow
healthcare entities to refuse to provide abortion services or give information
regarding those services. This dangerous measure, drafted by the U.S.
Conference of Catholic Bishops and sponsored by Representatives Dick Armey
(R-TX), Joseph Pitts (R-PA), Michael Bilirakis (R-FL), and Senator Judd Gregg
(R-NH), is being called the "Abortion Non-Discrimination Act" (H.R.
4691/S.2008).
This bill is nothing less than a broad and dangerous
federal "refusal clause" that would permit a person or entity to refuse to
provide abortions and information about abortion services. H.R. 4691 would
allow hospitals to turn away women who need emergency abortions because they are
hemorrhaging, experiencing heart failure, or suffering any one of a host of
other grave complications of pregnancy. The bill would permit callous
disregard for women's health despite federal and state laws that generally
require hospitals to treat patients in medical emergencies.
Take
Action! You can learn more and send a FREE FAX to your member of Congress from
our action alert at: