House Passes Fleming Pro-Life Bill

Statement

Congressman John Fleming, M.D. released the following statement after the House passed the Conscience Protection Act, legislation he introduced and worked on since 2011.

"Passage of the Conscience Protection Act, H.R. 4828 and S.304, was a victory for pro-life doctors and nurses, and affirms the decisions of hospitals, insurance providers and plans that decline to facilitate or participate in abortion. Even more than that, my bill today provides a strong protection for the medical profession: the federal government must respect your choice not to participate in the destruction of human life. Physicians should never be threatened with the loss of a job or their license for choosing not to dismember, poison, or destroy human life. I am very delighted to see my bill receive bi-partisan support.

"The immediate need for my legislation became more evident under the Obama administration. There is a growing list of health care providers, churches and religious organizations that are being coerced by state governments into covering abortion through their health plans. Without the Conscience Protection Act, there is no reprieve against this discrimination. Additionally, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the sole federal agency tasked with investigating these instances of abortion coercion, has turned a deaf ear to the ongoing discrimination. The CPA prevents abortion coercion of doctors and nurses, and assures a private right of action - a day in court - so that the medical community isn't subject to the whims of HHS."

The bill codifies the Weldon Amendment and provides a right of action for any infringement that might occur.

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