House Should Reject Dangerous Smith Bill That Harms Women's Health

Today the House of Representatives is expected to vote on H.R. 3, the "No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act," sponsored by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ).

The following is a statement by NWLC Co-President Marcia D. Greenberger:

"This dangerous bill punishes private health decisions by imposing tax increases on millions of individuals and small businesses if their insurance plans cover abortion. It also jeopardizes women's health by not allowing for exceptions even when a woman faces serious, permanent health risks. Not only does this bill substitute politicians' judgment for doctors, it introduces insidious new tactics to whittle down the long-standing rape exception under the Hyde Amendment. House Republicans initially attempted to narrow this exception to only include "forcible" rape, but public outcry compelled them to remove the word "forcible" from the bill.

"Instead, the House Committee Report, which officially describes the bill's language, states that deleting the term "forcible" should not change "longstanding policy". Though the proponents of H.R. 3 deleted the term "forcible" from the bill's text, the Committee Report attempts to retain an argument that only victims of "forcible" rape can be included in the bill's rape exception, thereby narrowing longstanding policy and excluding some of the most vulnerable victims from the abortion care they need.

"The incessant fixation on barring any insurance coverage of abortion totally ignores serious harm real people face. Consider the case of a nine-year-old girl in Florida who was sexually abused for two years by a 49 year old man, who was ultimately sentenced to life in prison for his crime. Had this young girl become pregnant and needed abortion care, Florida's Medicaid program would have determined that what happened to her was rape and paid for her abortion. But, if proponents of H.R. 3 have their way, her abortion would not be covered.

"And in yet another way to restrict women's ability to make private health decisions, the bill will impose substantial tax and other cost increases on millions of Americans who have health insurance that includes abortion coverage. A National Women's Law Center analysis demonstrates how millions of individuals and small businesses could be penalized (see NWLC's fact sheet on H.R. 3). For example, H.R. 3 would cause a single mother of three earning $24,000 a year who has insurance that includes abortion coverage to lose a tax credit of $3,173, a devastating financial penalty.

"This bill puts women's health at risk and diverts the country's attention from solving urgent problems, such as rebuilding the nation's economy. We urge each Member of the House to stand strong for women and vote 'no' on this dangerous bill." 

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