Bill Summary

Don’t be fooled by the friendly-sounding title of this bill. A more appropriate name for this bill would be the “Abortion Industry Support Act.”

While those promoting this bill claim that it would reduce the number of abortions, this bill would instead provide extensive new funding for Planned Parenthood by increasing Title X and Medicaid funding, thus making sure even more American taxpayer dollars are used to underwrite abortions.

Currently, Title X, a population control family planning program, funnels over $300 million under its to abortion providers like Planned Parenthood. This bill calls for an increase to $700 million in funding. Also, this bill would allow states to expand abortion services under Medicaid to women with incomes up to 200% of the federal poverty level.

But the anti-life agenda doesn’t stop there, as the bill calls for a taxpayer-funded $10 million advertising campaign promoting the morning-after pill, and would force religious hospitals to provide family planning services for which they are morally opposed to providing.

This bill is promoted by Planned Parenthood and NARAL and is mentioned by name as a priority on the Obama transition website.

Bill Status

Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) introduced this bill in the Senate in January 2007 and it was reffered to committee. Congresswoman Louise Slaughter (D-NY) introduced this bill in the House in February 2007 and it was referred to committee. It is expected to be reintroduced in the 111th Congress.