Conscience Rights Legislation Introduced in U.S. Senate

WASHINGTON, July 16, 2003 (LifeSiteNews.com) – The Abortion Non-Discrimination Act (ANDA) was introduced in the Senate Monday. Introduced by Senators Judd Gregg (R-NH) and Ben Nelson (D-NE) and six others as S. 1397, the bill clarifies an existing legal protection for health care providers who choose not to participate in abortions. The bill makes clear that the full range of health care entities, including hospitals and individual health care providers, are protected by federal law.  The measure passed the House in the 107th Congress “with the support of 192 Republicans and 37 Democrats” but was not considered in the Senate.  Gail Quinn, Executive Director of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities, applauded the introduction of ANDA saying, “This modest bill protects health care providers who choose not to get involved in the destruction of innocent human life.”  ANDA is necessary to clarify and strengthen a law enacted in 1996 (the Coats-Snowe law, 42 U.S.C. 238n) to protect the conscience rights of those who choose not to cover, pay for, or otherwise participate in the killing of innocent, unborn children.  Since Congress’ enactment of the 1996 law, pro-abortion groups have been actively engaged in a concerted campaign to coerce hospitals and other health care providers, both religiously affiliated and secular, to provide, facilitate, or pay for abortions. Although the 1996 law was passed to prevent any “health care entity” from being forced to perform, train, or refer for abortion, it has been attacked by pro-abortion activist groups and narrowly construed by the courts.  See extensive documentation on ANDA from the USCCB site:  https://www.usccb.org/prolife/issues/abortion/andaindex.htm