WASHINGTON – The chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee for Pro-Life Activities praised the Department of Health and Human Services July 15 for reaffirming that no federal funds will be provided to cover elective abortions under state-run health insurance plans.
The statement came from Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston after HHS spokeswoman Jenny Backus said that “in Pennsylvania and in all other states, abortion will not be covered in the Pre-existing Condition Insurance Plan except in the cases of rape or incest, or where the life of the woman would be endangered.”
The cardinal said the statement averted what could have been an “alarming precedent” and pointed up the need for a permanent law to exclude abortion from all programs under the new Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.