This week, the House voted forward the “Protect Life Act”, by a vote of 251 to 172. Only 11 votes were in favor by Democrats, while all of the Republican members voted to pass it. The bill has been highly controversial and President Obama has promised to veto it.

Also known as the “Let women Die” bill, it allows hospitals that receive federal funds to refuse a woman an abortion, even if the abortion would save her life. So regardless of your stance on abortion, this bill effectively not only kills the fetus, but the woman carrying it. Without the woman the fetus cannot survive, and in cases where the abortion would save her life, the woman would die as well.

Ironic isn't it? The “Protect Life Act” actually jeopardizes two lives at a time.

The bill outlaws any federal funds from going to health plans that cover any abortion services, as well as makes it impossible to block federal funds from going to health organizations that don't support abortion rights.

Under current law, any hospital that receives Medicare or Medicaid money is legally required to provide emergency care to any patient in need, regardless of his or her financial situation.

The White House issued a statement in response to the bill:

“The Administration strongly opposes H.R. 358 because, as previously stated in the Statement of Administration Policy on H.R. 3, the legislation intrudes on women's reproductive freedom and access to health care and unnecessarily restricts the private insurance choices that women and their families have today.

Longstanding Federal policy prohibits Federal funds from being used for abortions, except in cases of rape or incest, or when the life of the woman would be endangered. The Affordable Care Act preserved this prohibition and included policies to ensure that Federal funding is segregated from any private dollars used to fund abortions for which Federal funding is prohibited. The President's Executive Order 13535 reinforces that Federal funding cannot be used for abortions (except in cases of rape or incest, or when the life of the woman would be endangered) and ensures proper enforcement of this policy. H.R. 358 goes well beyond the safeguards found in current law and reinforced in the President's Executive Order by restricting women's private insurance choices.”

Rep. Alcee Hastings (D-Fla.) argued that members of the House who are men should not have a say in advancing policies that limit women's health care choices.

"Congressmen really shouldn't be even involved in making personal healthcare decisions for women. That should be between a woman, her family and her doctor," Hastings said.

The bill is sponsored by Rep. Joe Pitts (R-Pa.), who has neither a uterus, nor any plans of becoming pregnant.

He can be reached here: https://www.house.gov/pitts/contactDC.shtml

In other news, I promised in my last article to remind you of Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day and the International Wave of Light, October 15th. It is the night to light your candle at 7pm in your time zone to honor those little ones we have lost. With people in every time zone across the world, it creates a 24 hour wave of light. Join me, won't you?

The link to my article about it is below.

My love and support is with you all~