Nick Castle Peace Corps Reform Act of 2018

For activity pertaining to abortion-related components of reconciliation legislation, see BUD (Budget/Appropriations) page. For activity pertaining to other health-care reform ("Obamacare replacement") legislation, see HCR (Health Issues) page. Contacts in support of the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act (H.R. 36, S. 2311), to protect pain-capable unborn children beginning at 20 weeks fetal age including a letter to the Senate dated January 25, 2018. (On January 29, 2018, the Senate failed to invoke cloture to advance the legislation.) Contacts in support of the Dismemberment Abortion Ban Act (H.R. 1192, Smith), to prohibit a physician from knowingly performing a dismemberment abortion. Contacts in support of the Prenatal Nondiscrimination Act or PRENDA (H.R. 4660, S. 2326), to prohibit discrimination against the unborn on the basis of sex or race. Contacts in support of Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act (H.R. 4712, S. 220), to require any health care practitioner who is present when a child is born alive following an abortion or attempted abortion to exercise the same degree of care as reasonably provided to any other child born alive at the same gestational age, and ensure that such child is immediately admitted to a hospital, including a letter to the House dated January 16, 2018, and a letter to the House on Rule resolution H. Res. 694 dated January 17, 2018. (The House passed the bill on January 17, 2018.) Contacts in support of the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act (H.R. 7, S. 184), including letter to House dated January 19, 2017, to codify government-wide policy against funding abortion (passed House January 24, 2017). Contacts in support of Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act (CIANA)(H.R.692, S. 224), 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 Conscience Protection Act (H.R. 644, S. 301), to enhance federal remedies for health-care providers who face government-based discrimination for non-participation in abortion. Contacts regarding Defund Planned Parenthood Act (H.R.853) to prohibit federal funding to entities that do not certify the entities will not perform, or provide any funding to any other entity that performs, an abortion, with certain exceptions. Contacts in support of the Defund Planned Parenthood Act (H.R. 354, S.241), to deny for one year the availability of federal funds to Planned Parenthood affiliates or clinics that provide elective abortion. Activity on budget reconciliation bill pertaining to Planned Parenthood reported on BUD (Budget/Appropriations) page. Contacts in support of Women's Public Health and Safety Act (H.R. 656), to allow a state to exclude certain abortion providers from participation in the state's Medicaid program. Consultations regarding various bills intended to tighten federal limitations on trafficking in tissue from induced abortions (including H.R. 524, H.R. 1203, H.R. 1895, and other draft bills not introduced); no specific legislation endorsed during this quarter. Contacts in support of The Protecting the Dignity of Unborn Children Act (H.R. 718), to make it a federal crime to dispose of non-cremated "fetal remains" (from abortions) in a landfill or navigable waterway. Contacts in support of the Every Child is a Blessing Act (H.R. 684), to eliminate wrongful birth and wrongful life" lawsuits, when they arise under federal law or from claims involving health care services affecting interstate or foreign commerce. Contacts in response to inquiries regarding the Heartbeat Bill (H.R.490) to prohibit abortions if a fetal heartbeat is detectable; no position taken this quarter. Contacts expressing support for addition of language to prevent subsidies for abortion and other pro-life components in proposed legislation to revise laws dealing with health benefits for Peace Corps volunteers (H.R. 2259 and S. 2286). Contacts in opposition to "Women's Health Protection Act" (H.R. 1322, S. 510), a proposed federal statute to invalidate virtually all state and federal regulations pertaining to abortion. Contacts in opposition to "EACH Woman Act" (H.R. 771), 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 support of the Patients First Act (H.R. 2918) to require the federal National Institutes of Health to intensify research on types of stem-cell research that do not involve harming human embryos. Responses to inquiries regarding "Life at Conception Act" (H.R. 681, S. 231); nonsupport due to lack of clarity and erroneous legal premises. Contracts regarding abortion-pill reversal and informed consent requirements. Legislation not introduced. Responses to inquiries regarding H.R.4844, the Ultrasound Informed Consent Act, which provides that prior to an abortion, a provider must perform an obstetric ultrasound on the pregnant woman; provide a simultaneous explanation of what the ultrasound is depicting and display the ultrasound images so that the pregnant woman may view them. Inquiries regarding S.2266, the Abby Honold Act, regarding contract grantees to improve the handling of crimes of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. No position taken this quarter. Inquiries regarding H.R.767, the SOAR to Health and Wellness Act of 2018, related to contract grantees in regards to sex-trafficking victims. No position taken this quarter.

Client expense: $50,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Executive Office of the President (EOP), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), SENATE

For activity pertaining to abortion-related components of reconciliation legislation, see BUD (Budget/Appropriations) page. For activity pertaining to other health-care reform ("Obamacare replacement") legislation, see HCR (Health Issues) page. Contacts in support of the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act (H.R. 36, S. 1922), to protect pain-capable unborn children beginning at 20 weeks fetal age including a letter to the House dated September 27, 2017 (the House passed the measure on October 3, 2017). Contacts in support of the Dismemberment Abortion Ban Act (H.R. 1192, Smith), to prohibit a physician from knowingly performing a dismemberment abortion. Contacts in support of the Prenatal Nondiscrimination Act or PRENDA (H.R.147/H.R.4660), to prohibit discrimination against the unborn on the basis of sex or race. Contacts in support of Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act (H.R. 37, H.R. 4712, S. 220), to require any health care practitioner who is present when a child is born alive following an abortion or attempted abortion to exercise the same degree of care as reasonably provided to any other child born alive at the same gestational age, and ensure that such child is immediately admitted to a hospital. Contacts in support of the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act (H.R. 7, S. 184), including letter to House dated January 19, 2017, to codify government-wide policy against funding abortion (passed House January 24, 2017). Contacts in support of Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act (CIANA)(H.R.692, S. 224), 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 Conscience Protection Act (H.R. 644, S. 301), to enhance federal remedies for health-care providers who face government-based discrimination for non-participation in abortion. Contacts regarding Defund Planned Parenthood Act (H.R.853) to prohibit federal funding to entities that do not certify the entities will not perform, or provide any funding to any other entity that performs, an abortion, with certain exceptions. Contacts in support of the Defund Planned Parenthood Act (H.R. 354, S.241), to deny for one year the availability of federal funds to Planned Parenthood affiliates or clinics that provide elective abortion. Activity on budget reconciliation bill pertaining to Planned Parenthood reported on BUD (Budget/Appropriations) page. Contacts in support of Women's Public Health and Safety Act (H.R. 656), to allow a state to exclude certain abortion providers from participation in the state's Medicaid program. Consultations regarding various bills intended to tighten federal limitations on trafficking in tissue from induced abortions (including H.R. 524, H.R. 1203, H.R. 1895, and other draft bills not introduced); no specific legislation endorsed during this quarter. Contacts in support of The Protecting the Dignity of Unborn Children Act (H.R. 718), to make it a federal crime to dispose of non-cremated "fetal remains" (from abortions) in a landfill or navigable waterway. Contacts in support of the Every Child is a Blessing Act (H.R. 684), to eliminate wrongful birth and wrongful life" lawsuits, when they arise under federal law or from claims involving health care services affecting interstate or foreign commerce. Contacts in response to inquiries regarding the Heartbeat Bill (H.R. 490) to prohibit abortions if a fetal heartbeat is detectable; no position taken this quarter. Contacts expressing support for addition of language to prevent subsidies for abortion and other pro-life components in proposed legislation to revise laws dealing with health benefits for Peace Corps volunteers (H.R. 2259 and S. 2286). Contacts in opposition to "Women's Health Protection Act" (H.R. 1322, S. 510), a proposed federal statute to invalidate virtually all state and federal regulations pertaining to abortion. Contacts in opposition to "EACH Woman Act" (H.R. 771), 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 support of the Patients First Act (H.R. 2918) to require the federal National Institutes of Health to intensify research on types of stem-cell research that do not involve harming human embryos. Responses to inquiries regarding "Life at Conception Act" (H.R. 681, S. 231); nonsupport due to lack of clarity and erroneous legal premises.

Client expense: $80,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Executive Office of the President (EOP), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), SENATE