December 19, 2009

(Washington, DC) – The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) today expressed disappointment with a so-called ‘compromise’ over health care in the U.S. Senate over the issue of abortion funding announced by Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE).

“This compromise offers no real protection for human life and does nothing to keep federal health care funds from being used for abortion,” said Jay Sekulow, Chief Counsel of the ACLJ.  “The fact is that the Senate bill specifically authorizes federal funds to be used for abortions. The so-called 'protections' in the compromise simply require that the federal subsidies and premium dollars that are collected for these services be kept separate from other federal funds.  The end result provides no restrictions on abortions, but simply sets up what can only be described as a scheme that allows for federal funding of abortions, which directly violates long-standing federal law under the Hyde Amendment.”

Sekulow added:  “While Sen. Nelson has repeatedly expressed interest in keeping abortion funding out of health care, we're extremely disappointed with this compromise.  This is not in the best interest of the American people who understand that abortion should never be a mandatory health care benefit.  This latest compromise only adds to a problematic Senate bill that endorses government-run health care and will not serve the nation or the American people well.  We urge the Senate to reject this bill in its entirety.”

The ACLJ has heard from nearly 200,000 Americans who oppose the federal funding of abortion in health care legislation.

Led by Chief Counsel Jay Sekulow, the American Center for Law and Justice focuses on constitutional law and is dedicated to protecting the rights of the unborn.  The ACLJ is based in Washington, D.C.