Health Care Conscience Rights Act

Contacts in support of the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act (H.R. 36), to protect pain-capable unborn children beginning at 20 weeks fetal age, as approved by the House of Representatives May 13, 2015, and the Senate companion bill, S. 1553, introduced by Senator Graham (R-SC) on June 11, 2015. Senate motion to proceed to H.R. 36 (cloture failed, September 22, 2015. Contacts in support of No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act (H.R. 7, S. 582), to codify government-wide policy against funding abortion (passed House January 22, 2015, 242-179). Contacts in support of Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act (CIANA)(H.R. 803, S. 404) to require an abortionist to notify a parent before performing an abortion on a minor from a different state, with certain exceptions. Contacts in support of the Health Care Conscience Rights Act (H.R. 940, Black, S. 1919, Lankford), to prevent the imposition of regulatory mandates that violate the religious or moral convictions of those who purchase or provide health insurance, and to prevent any level of government from discriminating against health care providers who decline to participate in abortions, and to empower victims to seek relief in court for violations of the federal conscience laws. Contacts in support of inclusion of parallel language in FY 2016 Labor-HHS appropriations bill (H.R. 3020). Amendment to strike those provisions was rejected by the House Appropriations Committee on June 24, 2015, and the bill reported out. Components of the conscience-protection legislation were introduced in the Senate as the Abortion Nondiscrimination Act (ANDA, S. 50), also supported. Contacts in support of retention of pro-life limitations in Senate version of HHS appropriations bill, S. 1695. Contacts in support of inclusion of Abortion Non-Discrimination Act (ANDA) provisions in H.R. 2029, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016 (not included). Contacts in support of Dismemberment Abortion Ban Act (H.R. 3515, Smith) and possible Senate companion bill (not introduced during Fourth Quarter). On FY 2016 Financial Services appropriations bill (H.R. 2995, S. 1910). Contacts in support of Harris Amendment, to prohibit coverage of abortion, with certain exceptions, in "multi-state" (national) health plans created by PL 111-148, to be administered by the Office of Personnel Management; amendment adopted by House Appropriations Committee on June 17, 2015. Contacts in support of retention of the "Smith Amendment" (Sections 613-614) to prohibit OPM from paying administrative expenses connected with any FEHB health plan that covers elective abortion. Contacts in support of retention of "D.C. Hyde Amendment" (Section 810), to prohibit use of appropriated funds for abortion by the local government of the District of Columbia, with certain exceptions. The FY 2016 Financial Services appropriations bill (H.R. 2995) approved by the House Appropriations Committee June 17, 2015, contained these three provisions; the second and third were carried over into H.R. 2029, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. H.R. 2995 also contained the Palazzo Amendment, supported, to prevent use of appropriated funds by the local government of the District of Columbia to enforce the "Reproductive Health Non-Discrimination Act," as reported under DOC; this provision was not carried over into H.R. 2029. Contacts explaining nonsupport for H.R. 426 and H.R. 816, based on lack of clarity and erroneous legal premises, and nonsupport for possible draft Senate companion bill. Contacts in opposition to "Women's Health Protection Act" (H.R. 448, S. 217), a proposed federal statute to invalidate virtually all state and federal regulations pertaining to abortion. Contacts in opposition to "EACH Woman Act" (H.R. 2972), a bill to mandate coverage of abortion without limitation in Medicaid, Medicare, CHIP, and other federally funded health insurance program, to nullify the laws in effect in about half of the states that restrict coverage of abortion in health plans sold on the Obamacare exchanges, and to nullify all other state laws or policies that "inhibit insurance coverage of abortion by private health plans." Contacts in opposition to H.R. 2257 (Rep. Jeff Miller) and S. 469 (Murray), in the forms introduced; these bills would require the Veterans Administration to provide certain services involving the creation, manipulation, and freezing of human embryos; contacts regarding possible revisions to the legislation. Contacts regarding clarifying revisions recommend to H.R. 1356 (gender-specific services by VA). Contacts in support of H.R. 3495 (Duffy), to increase state flexibility to exclude certain abortion providers from Medicaid (passed by the House on Sept. 29. 2015), and Senate companion bill S. 2159 (Vitter). Contacts in support of inclusion of this provision in H.R. 2029, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016 (not included). Contacts pertaining to H.R. 3171 (Sensenbrenner), to make certain amendments to current law governing certain federally funded research involving fetal tissue (non-support), and H.R. 3729 (Sensenbrenner) to limit permissible sources of fetal tissue for federally funded research (under review). Responses to inquiries regarding possible revisions to 42 USC Sec. 289g-1 and 289g-2, including H.R. 3429 (Yoder)(legislation to tighten definition of "valuable consideration" in 289g-2, qualified support). Contacts regarding possible legislation to tighten requirements regarding altering method of abortion and consent pertaining to harvesting of baby body parts (qualified support). Contacts regarding nomination of Karen DeSalvo as DHHS Assistant Secretary for Health; opposed to confirmation at this time. Contacts in support of Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act (H.R. 3504, Franks), passed by the House Sept. 18, 2015, and in support of Senate companion bill, S. 2066 (Sasse). Contacts received regarding provisions of H.R. 2029, and freestanding bill HR 3920, pertaining to drug ESSURE (no position). Contacts regarding H. Res. 461 (Foxx), to establish a Select Panel attached to House Energy and Commerce Committee to investigate certain aspects of abortion industry practice, including body-parts harvesting, live-born infants, and related issues (support), and potential appointments to that panel. H.Res. 461 approved by House October 7, 2015. Contacts in support of "Defund Planned Parenthood Act of 2015," H.R. 3134 and S. 1836. Contacts in support of H.R. 3762, Restoring Americans' Healthcare Freedom Act (budget reconciliation bill), including provision to block most federal funding to Planned Parenthood for one year, including contacts in support of Rule providing for consideration of the bill in the House and House passage on October 23, 2015. Contacts in support of inclusion of similar language in the Senate substitute amendment, and addition of provisions to repeal certain provisions of the Affordable Care Act, including the tax credit program that subsidizes about 1,000 health plans that cover elective abortion. Contacts in opposition to the Collins Amendment to remove the defund-Planned Parenthood provision, and in opposition to the Murray Amendment to replace that provision with a new $1 billion authorization for a fund for which only elective-abortion providers would be eligible (both amendments were rejected). Contacts regarding amendments filed pertaining to Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances statute; no position (amendments did not come to vote). Contacts in support of passage of the bill in the Senate (bill passed Dec. 3, 2015).

Client expense: $70,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE

HR 770 - To repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and health care-related provisions in the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010: entire bill HR 132/S 339 - ObamaCare Repeal Act: entire bill Public Law No. 111-148- Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act: entire law Public Law No. 111-152- Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010: entire law HR 2 - Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act SGR Repeal and Medicare Beneficiary Access Act: amendments and provisions related to and affecting reproductive health and family planning HR 1101 - Viral Hepatitis Testing Act: entire bill HR 1502 - Medicare Parity Act: entire bill S 737 - Ensuring Access to Primary Care for Women & Children Act: entire bill HR 117 - Reclaiming Individual Liberty Act: entire bill S 77 - Patient Choice Restoration Act: entire bill S 221 - Pregnancy Assistance Fund Expansion Act: entire bill HR 22 - Hire More Heroes Act: entire bill HR 1356/S 471 - Women Veterans Access to Quality Care Act: entire bill S 469 - Women Veterans and Families Health Services Act: entire bill HR 691 - Telehealth Modernization Act : entire bill HR 768 - Stop AIDS in Prison Act: entire bill HR 45 - Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Research and Education Act: entire bill HR 716/S 370 - Breast Density and Mammography Reporting Act: entire bill HR 1197 - Accelerating the End of Breast Cancer Act: entire bill S 697 - Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act: entire bill S 1016 - Preserving Freedom and Choice in Health Care Act: entire bill HR 2054 - To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for increased access to Department of Veterans Affairs medical care for women veterans: entire bill HR 2300 - Empowering Patients First Act: entire bill S 1438 - Allowing Greater Access to Safe and Effective Contraception Act: entire bill S Res 193 - A resolution celebrating the 50th anniversary of the historic Griswold v. Connecticut decision of the Supreme Court of the United States and expressing the sense of the Senate that the case was an important step forward in helping ensure that all people of the United States are able to use contraceptives to plan pregnancies and have healthier babies.: entire resolution HR 2653 - American Health Care Reform Act: entire bill HR 3163/S 1532 - Affordability Is Access Act: entire bill HR 2866 - To amend title XXVII of the Public Health Service Act to provide for a special enrollment period for pregnant women, and for other purposes: entire bill HR 6 - 21st Century Cures Act: entire bill HR 2066 - Telehealth Enhancement Act: entire bill HR 1345 - Health IT Modernization for Underserved Communities Act: entire bill HR 270 - Flexibility in Health IT Reporting (Flex-IT) Act: entire bill HR 2646 - Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act: entire bill HR 2725 - 21st Century Care for Military and Veterans Act: entire bill HR 2355 - Women's Preventive Health Awareness Campaign: entire bill HR 2820 - Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Reauthorization Act: entire bill HR 2866 - the Healthy MOM Act S 1299/HR 938 - Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act Reauthorization HR 3171 - To amend the Public Health Service Act to prohibit certain research on the transplantation of human fetal tissue obtained pursuant to an abortion. S 1919 - A bill to amend the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to protect rights of conscience with regard to requirements for coverage of specific items and services, to amend the Public Health Service Act to prohibit certain abortion-related discrimination in governmental activities, and for other purposes. HR 3443 - Women's Health Accountability Act HR 2972 - Equal Access to Abortion Coverage in Health Insurance (EACH Woman) Act HR 3498 - Human Cloning Prohibition Act S 1917 - A bill to prohibit the provision of Federal funds to an entity that receives compensation for facilitating the donation of fetal tissue derived from an abortion.

Contacts in support of the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act (H.R. 36), to protect pain-capable unborn children beginning at 20 weeks fetal age, and Franks Substitute Amendment thereto, approved by the House of Representatives May 13, 2015. Contacts in support of the Senate companion bill, S. 1553, introduced by Senator Graham (R-SC) on June 11, 2015. Contacts in support of Senate motion to proceed to H.R. 36 (cloture failed, September 22, 2015). Contacts in support of No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act (H.R. 7, S. 582), to codify government-wide policy against funding abortion (passed House January 22, 2015, 242-179). Contacts in support of Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act (CIANA)(H.R. 803, S. 404) to require an abortionist to notify a parent before performing an abortion on a minor from a different state, with certain exceptions. Contacts in support of the Health Care Conscience Rights Act (H.R. 940, Black, S. 1919, Lankford), to prevent the imposition of regulatory mandates that violate the religious or moral convictions of those who purchase or provide health insurance, and to prevent any level of government from discriminating against health care providers who decline to participate in abortions, and to empower victims to seek relief in court for violations of the federal conscience laws. Contacts in support of inclusion of parallel language in FY 2016 Labor-HHS appropriations bill (H.R. 3020). Amendment to strike those provisions was rejected by the House Appropriations Committee on June 24, and the bill reported out. Components of the conscience-protection legislation were introduced in the Senate as S. 50, also supported. Contacts in support of retention of pro-life limitations in Senate version of HHS appropriations bill, S. 1695. Contacts in support of Dismemberment Abortion Ban Act (H.R. 3515, Smith) and possible Senate companion bill (not introduced during Third Quarter). On FY 2016 Financial Services appropriations bill (H.R. 2995, S. 1910). Contacts in support of Harris Amendment, to prohibit coverage of abortion, with certain exceptions, in "multi-state" (national) health plans created by PL 111-148, to be administered by the Office of Personnel Management; amendment adopted by House Appropriations Committee on June 17, 2015. Contacts in support of retention of the "Smith Amendment" (Sections 613-614) to prohibit OPM from paying administrative expenses connected with any FEHB health plan that covers elective abortion. Contacts in support of retention of "D.C. Hyde Amendment" (Section 810), to prohibit use of appropriated funds for abortion by the local government of the District of Columbia, with certain exceptions. The FY 2016 Financial Services appropriations bill (H.R. 2995) approved by the House Appropriations Committee June 17, 2015, contained these three provisions. The bill also contained the Palazzo Amendment, supported, to prevent use of appropriated funds by the local government of the District of Columbia to enforce the "Reproductive Health Non-Discrimination Act," as reported under DOC. Contacts in support of H.R. 281, the Every Child is a Blessing Act, legislation to curb use of wrongful birth and wrongful life causes of action, introduced by Rep. Palazzo. Contacts explaining nonsupport for H.R. 426 and H.R. 816, based on lack of clarity and erroneous legal premises. Contacts in support of Prenatal Nondiscrimination Act (S. 48, Vitter)(House companion, Franks, not introduced), to prohibit sex-selection abortions. Contacts in opposition to "Women's Health Protection Act" (H.R. 448, S. 217), a proposed federal statute to invalidate virtually all state and federal regulations pertaining to abortion. Contacts in opposition to H.R. 2257 (Rep. Jeff Miller) and S. 469 (Murray), in the forms introduced; these bills would require the Veterans Administration to provide certain services involving the creation, manipulation, and freezing of human embryos; contacts regarding possible revisions to the legislation. Contacts regarding clarifying revisions recommend to H.R. 1356 (gender-specific services by VA). Contacts advocating inclusion of language in "American Health Care Reform Act" (Rep. Roe) to prevent support for human cloning and other anti-life practices, including protective language included in the bill as introduced (H.R. 2653) on June 4, 2015. Contacts regarding abortion-related aspects of "Care Planning Act of 2015" (S. 1549), introduced by Senators Warner and Isakson. Contacts regarding abortion-related aspects of "Personalize Your Care Act," draft legislation by Reps. Blumenauer and Roe. Contacts in support of various bills to exclude Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) and/or certain other abortion providers from receiving certain federal funds, including S. 1881 (Ernst), S. 1861 (Paul), H.R. 3134/S. 1836 (Defund Planned Parenthood Act, Rep. Black, Sen. Lankford), H.R. 3197 (Black), and H. Con. Res. 79 (Roby). Contacts in support of inclusion of related language in reconciliation legislation (not numbered), including letter to House dated Sept. 29, 2015. Contacts pertaining to draft legislation (Ellmers) proposing defunding remedy for entities involved in violations of 18 USC Sec. 1531; nonsupport (not introduced). Contacts pertaining to H.R. 3443 (Ellmers), proposing curb on funding to PPFA from Title X of PHSA only during duration of GAO review; nonsupport. Contacts regarding H.R. 2722 (Maloney), funding of certain breast cancer research; no position. Contacts in support of H.R. 3495 (Duffy), to increase state flexibility to exclude certain abortion providers from Medicaid (passed by the House on Sept. 29. 2015). Contacts in support of inclusion of clarifying language in H.R. 6 (21st Century Cures Act). Contacts pertaining to H.R. 3171 (Sensenbrenner), to make certain amendments to current law governing certain federally funded research involving fetal tissue; non-support. Responses to inquiries regarding possible revisions to 42 USC Sec. 289g-1 and 289g-2, including H.R. 3429 (Yoder)(legislation to tighten definition of "valuable consideration" in 289g-2, qualified support). Contacts regarding nomination of Karen DeSalvo as DHHS Assistant Secretary for Health; opposed to confirmation at this time. Contacts in support of Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act (H.R. 3504, Franks), passed by the House Sept. 18, 2015, and possible inclusion of such language in continuing resolution. Contacts in support of Senate companion bill, S. 2066 (Sasse). Contacts pertaining to H.R. 3494 (Blackburn), defunding remedy for entities involved in born-alive violations; nonsupport. Contacts regarding H. Res. 461 (Foxx), to establish a Select Panel attached to House Energy and Commerce Committee to investigate Planned Parenthood, fetal tissue use, late abortions and related issues (support), and potential appointments to that panel.

H.R. 1190 - Protecting Senior's Access to Medicare Act: Would repeal parts of PPACA regarding Independent Payment Advisory Board. S. 1919 - Health Care Conscience Rights Act: Protections against discrimination due to religious or moral objections to certain services in health care plans.

Client expense: $10,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE

S. 1919 - Health Care Conscience Rights Act: Protections against discrimination due to religious or moral objections to certain services in health care plans. H.R. 1190 Protecting Senior's Access to Medicare Act: Would repeal parts of PPACA regarding Independent Payment Advisory Board.

Client expense: $10,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE