Until the next mid-term elections in 2010, pro-abortion forces in Congress will have the opportunity to remove many prolife laws and create new ones assaulting the sanctity of human life. Prolife people need to come together to halt the assault on human life.
Issues to Watch
Stop the Assault on the Hyde Amendment
One of the most important prolife policies is the Hyde Amendment which prohibits the use of federal Medicaid funds for abortions (except to save the life of the mother, or in cases of rape or incest). The Hyde Amendment has been incorporated into the annual appropriations bills for the Department of Health and Human Services since 1976. President Obama opposes the Hyde Amendment and the Democratic Congressional leadership could seek to block renewal of the amendment in 2009.
Stop the Freedom of Choice Act
The “Freedom of Choice Act” (FOCA) is a proposed federal law that would nullify virtually every state and federal prolife law and policy, including parental notification laws and partial-birth abortion bans. In addition, FOCA prohibits policies at any level of government that would “discriminate” against abortion, meaning abortion would have to be provided and funded in any government health program that provides services to pregnant women (e.g., Medicaid, SCHIP).
Stop Research Using Human Embryos
It is expected that President Obama will use his executive authority to remove President Bush’s restrictions on the use of federal funds for embryonic stem cell research. It is also likely that Congress will consider legislation to remove the Dickey Amendment. The Dickey Amendment prevents the federal funding of research where human embryos are killed and where human embryos are created for the purpose of research.
Stop National Health Care which Includes Rationing, Abortion
Right to Life of Michigan is equally concerned with protecting the elderly and people with disabilities from euthanasia as with protecting the unborn from abortion. Denial of lifesaving medical treatment is a form of involuntary euthanasia. Right to Life of Michigan, therefore, opposes government rationing of health care.
Action Item
Despite a pro-abortion majority in Congress, you can still halt this radical assault on the sanctity of human life by informing your fellow citizens and encouraging them to make their voices heard.
For more information about prolife issues, visit Right to Life of Michigan online at www.rtl.org and check out the Action Center. You will find important information about current prolife issues and educational materials like LifeNotes on prolife topics that you may print and distribute. Together prolife people can halt the assault on human life.
