Several pro-life amendments were offered — and narrowly defeated — as the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions (HELP) approved the massive health care bill introduced by Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass.
Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, offered an amendment to prevent funding of abortion; it failed. An amendment from Sen. Michael Enzi, R-Wyo., to prevent the bill from mandating abortion coverage, also was defeated.
Two amendments from Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., also failed: one to codify conscience-protection laws; and another to prevent the bill from pre-empting state laws on abortion.
Coburn's amendment to protect health care workers' conscience rights with regard to euthanasia passed by a voice vote. The amendment ensures that doctors, nurses and other health care workers would not be forced to violate their consciences.
TAKE ACTION
If you live in the following states, please thank your Republican member of the HELP committee, and Democratic Sen. Robert Casey, for supporting the pro-life amendments. Call (202) 224-3121.
Michael B. Enzi, Wyo.
Judd Gregg, N.H.
Lamar Alexander, Tenn.
Richard Burr, N.C.
Johnny Isakson, Ga.
John McCain, Ariz.
Orrin G. Hatch, Utah
Lisa Murkowski, Alaska
Tom Coburn, Okla.
Pat Roberts, Kan.
Robert P. Casey, Pa.
— Jennifer Mesko
