Copyright © 2003 Catholicrespectlife.org. All rights reserved. Last revised:
01/31/2004
Senate Bill 62: The following is a reprint of an email sent by
Porter County Right to Life on 1/29/04
"Senate Bill 62, sponsored by State Senator Vi Simpson, is a dangerous bill that
could open up a significant stream of taxpayer funding for abortion-causing
drugs referred to as "emergency contraceptives". This bill has been passed out
of committee and will be heading to the full Senate for a vote, possibly as
early as the middle of next week.
Background: Senate Bill 62 seeks a Medicaid waiver for
"family planning
services" that will extend Medicaid coverage of these services for certain
women. Supporters of the bill include Fort Wayne Feminists, the Indiana Civil
Liberties Union, Indiana NOW, March of Dimes, Planned Parenthood Advocates, and
the Pro-Choice Coalition of Indiana.
In an attempt to camouflage the bill, an amendment was passed in committee that
seemingly excepts "the performance of abortions and the provision of
abortifacients". However, the term "abortifacient" used here describes "any drug
or device intended to terminate a pregnancy".
The key issue is the definition of "pregnancy". Abortion providers in Indiana do
not recognize pregnancy as beginning at conception, but rather choose to
consider a pregnancy as beginning at implantation or some other stage beyond.
The result is that drugs like Plan B, when used after conception has occurred,
terminates a human life but is not reckoned as an abortion by abortion
providers.
Unless an amendment is inserted into this bill that specifically defines an
abortifacient as any drug or device that terminates a pregnancy after
conception, the bill will open a pipeline of Medicaid funding for so-called
"emergency contraceptives" that will terminate human life.
In September 2003 the Indiana Supreme Court expanded taxpayer funding for
abortions in Indiana. Now the Indiana General Assembly is attempting to take it
one step further.
Urgent action required – Contact your state senator today and urge that Senate
Bill 62 be opposed unless an amendment is added that defines pregnancy as
beginning at conception.
To contact your state senator call (317) 232-9400 or (800) 382-9467 now. To
identify or email your senator visit
www.portercountyrighttolife.org enter your
zip
Please forward this e-mail message to all of your family and friends and urge
immediate action on this bill."
www.portercountyrighttolife.org
www.indianalife.org
