I found the following over at a political simulator forum ( www.moobaq.com/usgboard/index.php ):
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
A BILL
To reduce the number of abortion procedures in America.
Be it enacted by the House of Representatives and Senate in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Bill may be cited as the "Comprehensive Abortion Prevention and Reduction Act of 2016", or "Part I of the 95-10 Initiative".
TITLE I -- EMPOWER WOMEN.
SEC. 101. PUBLIC AWARENESS PROGRAM.
(a) LIST OF ORGANIZATIONS- The Secretary of Health and Human Services (referred to for the rest of this Act as the `Secretary') shall, within 60 days of the enactment of this Act, create a list of organizations by state that provide support services for pregnant women who want to carry their child to term and/or direct women to adoption centers. For the purposes of this Act, all organizations must--
(1) Be non-profit, tax exempt organizations; and
(2) Must not provide inaccurate or misleading information as deemed by the Secretary.
(b) TOLL-FREE NUMBER- The Secretary shall use this list to create a toll free number to direct women to these organizations in all States. The Secretary shall have the power, utilizing funding appropriated by this Section, to enact an advertising campaign promoting the toll free number.
© APPROPRIATIONS- For the purpose of carrying out this Section, there is authorized to be appropriated $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2016 through 2020.
SEC 102. NATIONAL STUDY ON ABORTION DATA.
The National Institutes of Health, upon the passage of this Act, shall conduct a confidential, voluntary study on why women choose to have abortions. Within five years of the enactment of this Act, the National Institutes of Health shall present these findings to Congress, and the appropriate Congressional Committees.
SEC. 103. PREGNANCY PREVENTION EDUCATION.
(a) IN GENERAL- Each eligible State shall be entitled to receive from the Secretary, for each of the fiscal years 2016 through 2020, a grant to conduct programs of family life education, including education on both abstinence and contraception for the prevention of teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDS.
(b) REQUIREMENTS FOR FAMILY LIFE PROGRAMS- For purposes of this Act, a program of family life education is a program that--
(1) is age-appropriate and medically accurate;
(2) does not promote or denigrate any particular religious belief;
(3) teaches that abstinence is the only sure way to avoid pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases;
(4) stresses the value of abstinence while not ignoring those young people who have had or are having sexual intercourse;
(5) provides information about the effectiveness, health benefits, and side effects of all contraceptives and barrier methods as a means to prevent pregnancy;
(6) provides information about the effectiveness, health benefits, and side effects of all contraceptives and barrier methods as a means to reduce the risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDS;
(7) encourages family communication about sexuality between parent and child;
(8) teaches young people the skills to make responsible decisions about sexuality, including how to avoid unwanted verbal, physical, and sexual advances and how not to make unwanted verbal, physical, and sexual advances; and
(9) teaches young people how alcohol and drug use can affect responsible decisionmaking.
© ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES- In carrying out a program of family life education, a State may expend a grant under subsection (a) to carry out educational and motivational activities that help young people--
(1) gain knowledge about the physical, emotional, biological, and hormonal changes of adolescence and subsequent stages of human maturation;
(2) develop the knowledge and skills necessary to ensure and protect their sexual and reproductive health from unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease, including HIV/AIDS throughout their lifespan;
(3) gain knowledge about the specific involvement of and male responsibility in sexual decisionmaking;
(4) develop healthy attitudes and values about adolescent growth and development, body image, gender roles, racial and ethnic diversity, sexual orientation, and other subjects;
(5) develop and practice healthy life skills including goal-setting, decisionmaking, negotiation, communication, and stress management;
(6) promote self-esteem and positive interpersonal skills focusing on relationship dynamics, including, but not limited to, friendships, dating, romantic involvement, marriage and family interactions;
(7) prepare for the adult world by focusing on educational and career success, including developing skills for employment preparation, job seeking, independent living, financial self-sufficiency, and workplace productivity; and
(8) create realistic budgets based on potential income, and the costs associated with life with and without children and with and without multiple incomes.
(d) DEFINITIONS-
For purposes of this Section:
(1) The term 'eligible State' means a State that submits to the Secretary an application for a grant under subsection (a) that is in such form, is made in such manner, and contains such agreements, assurances, and information as the Secretary determines to be necessary to carry out this Act. The State must also consent to participate in a Nationwide evaluation on the effectiveness of the programs outlined in subsection (b) and produce a Statewide evaluation for the Secretary.
(2) The term 'HIV/AIDS' means the human immunodeficiency virus, and includes acquired immune deficiency syndrome.
(3) The term 'medically accurate', with respect to information, means information that is supported by research, recognized as accurate and objective by leading medical, psychological, psychiatric, and public health organizations and agencies, and where relevant, published in peer review journals.
(e) APPROPRIATIONS- For the purpose of carrying out this Section, there is authorized to be appropriated $206,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2016 through 2020.
(f) ALLOCATIONS- Of the amounts appropriated under subsection (e) for a fiscal year--
(1) not more than 7 percent may be used for the administrative expenses of the Secretary in carrying out this Act for that fiscal year; and
(2) not more than 10 percent may be used for the Nationwide evaluation under subsection(d)(1).
SEC. 104. PREGNANCY COUNSELING AND DAYCARE QUALIFIED GRANT PROGRAM.
(a) IN GENERAL- Each eligible university, college, and high school shall be entitled to receive from the Secretary, for each of the fiscal years 2016 through 2020, a grant to support pregnant women and provide resources and support to help women continue their education if they keep or plan to put their child up for adoption.
(b) USE OF GRANTS- These grants shall help universities, colleges, and high schools establish on-campus offices for counseling, referral, and parenting services for pregnant women and daycare service.
(c.) FEDERAL GUIDELINES- The Secretary is hereby authorized upon the enactment of this Act to create a federal guideline for such offices, and may use such guideline in determining the qualifications of an educational institution applying for a grant under subsection (a).
(d) DEFINITION- The term 'eligible university, college, and high school' means a university, college, or high school that submits to the Secretary an application for a grant under subsection (a) that is in such form, is made in such manner, and contains such agreements, assurances, and information as the Secretary determines to be necessary to carry out this Section. The institution must also consent to participate in a Nationwide evaluation on the effectiveness of the programs outlined in subsection (b) and produce a self-evaluation for the Secretary no less than one year after the reception of a grant under subsection (a).
(e) APPROPRIATIONS- For the purpose of carrying out this Section, there is authorized to be appropriated $250,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2016 through 2020.
(f) ALLOCATIONS- Of the amounts appropriated under subsection (e) for a fiscal year--
(1) not more than 7 percent may be used for the administrative expenses of the Secretary in carrying out this Act for that fiscal year; and
(2) not more than 10 percent may be used for the Nationwide evaluation under subsection (d).
SEC. 105. ADOPTION TAX CREDIT EXPANSION.
The Adoption Tax Credit created under the Adoption Tax Credit Act shall be expanded to $7,500.
SEC. 106. PREGNANCY AS A PRE-EXISTING CONDITION.
No insurance agency may discriminate against a woman due to a prior pregnancy in assessing the risk associated with a health care plan. Pregnancy may not be listed as a 'pre-existing condition' in association to health insurance.
SEC. 107. ADOPTION REFERRAL INFORMATION.
(a) IN GENERAL- Pregnancy centers and women's health centers that provide pregnancy counseling and receive federal funding must provide adoption referral information.
(b) FEDERAL GUIDELINE- The Secretary is hereby authorized to create a Federal guideline for such adoption referral information, and is authorized to prioritize federal funding to pregnancy centers and women's health centers that comply with subsection (a).
SEC. 108. EQUITY IN PRESCRIPTION INSURANCE AND CONTRACEPTIVE COVERAGE.
(a) REQUIREMENTS FOR COVERAGE- A group health plan, and a health insurance issuer providing health insurance coverage in connection with a group health plan, may not--
(1) exclude or restrict benefits for prescription contraceptive drugs or devices approved by the Food and Drug Administration, or generic equivalents approved as substitutable by the Food and Drug Administration, if such plan or coverage provides benefits for other outpatient prescription drugs or devices; or
(2) exclude or restrict benefits for outpatient contraceptive services if such plan or coverage provides benefits for other outpatient services provided by a health care professional (referred to in this section as 'outpatient health care services').
(b) PROHIBITIONS- A group health plan, and a health insurance issuer providing health insurance coverage in connection with a group health plan, may not--
(1) deny to any individual eligibility to enroll or to renew coverage under the terms of the plan because of the individual's or enrollee's use or potential use of items or services that are covered in accordance with the requirements of this section;
(2) provide monetary payments or rebates to discourage such an individual from receiving the full protections available under this section;
(3) penalize or otherwise limit or reduce the reimbursement of a health care professional because such professional prescribe contraceptive drugs or devices or provided contraceptive services described in subsection (a) in accordance with this section; or
(4) provide incentives (monetary or otherwise) to a health care professional to induce such professional to withhold from a covered individual contraceptive drugs or devices, or contraceptive services described in subsection (a).
© NOTICE UNDER GROUP HEALTH PLAN- The imposition of the requirements of this section shall be treated as a material modification in the terms of the plan described in section 102(a)(1) of Subpart B of part 7 of subtitle B of title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (29 U.S.C. 1185 et seq.), for purposes of assuring notice of such requirements under the plan.
(d) PREEMPTION- Nothing in this section shall be construed to preempt any provision of State law to the extent that such State law establishes, implements, or continues in effect any standard or requirement that provides coverage or protections for participants or beneficiaries that are greater than the coverage or protections required under this section.
(e) DEFINITION- In this section, the term 'outpatient contraceptive services' means consultations, examinations, procedures, and medical services, provided on an outpatient basis and related to the use of contraceptive methods (including natural family planning) to prevent an unintended pregnancy.
SEC. 109. TRUTH IN CONTRACEPTION.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any information concerning the use of a contraceptive provided through any federally funded sex education, family life education, abstinence education, comprehensive health education, or character education program shall be medically accurate and shall include health benefits and failure rates relating to the use of such contraceptive.
TITLE II -- PROTECT OUR CHILDREN
SECTION 201. FINDINGS.
Congress finds that--
(1) The Special Nutrition for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) is funded at about $4.9 billion, which is $268 million less than what’s needed to serve the current 7.86–7.90 million participants;
(2) 8,200,000 pregnant women, infants, and young children need to be served by the program. Thus, an eight percent reduction translates into 670,000 fewer people being served.
(3) Cuts could force more recipients to lose WIC.
(4) It is estimated that every dollar spent on WIC results in between $1.77 and $3.13 in Medicaid savings for newborns and their mothers.
SEC. 202. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
(a) There is hereby authorized to be appropriated $5,168,000,000 for the Special Nutrition for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program for the fiscal year 2016.
(b) The Federal budget must specifically enumerate outlays to the WIC program.
SEC. 203. COUNSELING IN MATERNITY GROUP HOMES.
Voluntary adoption counseling and the teaching of parenting skills is hereby a prerequisite for the federal funding of maternity group homes. The Secretary hereby must withhold funding to enforce the provisions of this Section.
SEC. 204. START HEALTHY, STAY HEALTHY.
(a) Title XIX of the Social Security Act (Medicaid) is hereby amended to:
(1) give States the option to expand coverage to pregnant women;
(2) provide for enhanced matching funds with respect to pregnant women if the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines that such coverage is adequate;
(3) pay for such Medicaid expansion costs out of the SSA title XXI (State Child's Health Insurance, SCHIP) allotment; and
(4) no longer require that a newborn child be a member of the mother's household and that the mother remain eligible for Medicaid during the one year period after birth in order for the newborn child to continue to be eligible for Medicaid.
(b) Title XXI of the SSA is hereby amended to give States the option of providing pregnancy-related assistance for targeted low-income pregnant women in accordance with this Act, which includes:
(1) automatic enrollment for children born to women receiving pregnancy-related assistance;
(3) additional allotments for providing coverage of pregnant women; and
(4) no cost-sharing for pregnancy-related services.
(c.) Title XXI of the SSA is hereby amended to provide for enhanced matching funds with respect to subsection (b) if the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines that such assistance is adequate.
(d) INCREASE IN SCHIP INCOME ELIGIBILITY-
(1) DEFINITION OF LOW-INCOME CHILD- Section 2110©(4) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 42 U.S.C. 1397jj©(4)) is amended by striking `200' and inserting `250'.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
I think this bill would represent the views of most if not all Progressives, because it offers a truly comprehensive plan to reduce abortions through education and offering viable alternatives to women, without including a ban (blanket or otherwise) on the procedure itself. I think that for too long neoconservatives and religious extremists have used the abortion issue as a club with which to pummel Progressives and label us ridiculuosly as "child-murderers." And for too long, I think Progressives have allowed them to get away with it. Perhaps the lack of a strong platform outlining our position on abortion is to blame for that, and I feel that this bill--offered in the spirit of a political simulator that tries to educate and foment participation in the political process--is an excellent means of laying out and offering that position as well as a viable set of alternatives for pregnant women and girls who find themselves unable to care for an infant.
So what say you, fellow Progressives? Is this something that you feel we can run with, and make work? More importantly, is it a position on abortion you feel you can live with, and perhaps work to implement on a governmental level? I'd like to read your input.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
A BILL
To reduce the number of abortion procedures in America.
Be it enacted by the House of Representatives and Senate in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Bill may be cited as the "Comprehensive Abortion Prevention and Reduction Act of 2016", or "Part I of the 95-10 Initiative".
TITLE I -- EMPOWER WOMEN.
SEC. 101. PUBLIC AWARENESS PROGRAM.
(a) LIST OF ORGANIZATIONS- The Secretary of Health and Human Services (referred to for the rest of this Act as the `Secretary') shall, within 60 days of the enactment of this Act, create a list of organizations by state that provide support services for pregnant women who want to carry their child to term and/or direct women to adoption centers. For the purposes of this Act, all organizations must--
(1) Be non-profit, tax exempt organizations; and
(2) Must not provide inaccurate or misleading information as deemed by the Secretary.
(b) TOLL-FREE NUMBER- The Secretary shall use this list to create a toll free number to direct women to these organizations in all States. The Secretary shall have the power, utilizing funding appropriated by this Section, to enact an advertising campaign promoting the toll free number.
© APPROPRIATIONS- For the purpose of carrying out this Section, there is authorized to be appropriated $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2016 through 2020.
SEC 102. NATIONAL STUDY ON ABORTION DATA.
The National Institutes of Health, upon the passage of this Act, shall conduct a confidential, voluntary study on why women choose to have abortions. Within five years of the enactment of this Act, the National Institutes of Health shall present these findings to Congress, and the appropriate Congressional Committees.
SEC. 103. PREGNANCY PREVENTION EDUCATION.
(a) IN GENERAL- Each eligible State shall be entitled to receive from the Secretary, for each of the fiscal years 2016 through 2020, a grant to conduct programs of family life education, including education on both abstinence and contraception for the prevention of teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDS.
(b) REQUIREMENTS FOR FAMILY LIFE PROGRAMS- For purposes of this Act, a program of family life education is a program that--
(1) is age-appropriate and medically accurate;
(2) does not promote or denigrate any particular religious belief;
(3) teaches that abstinence is the only sure way to avoid pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases;
(4) stresses the value of abstinence while not ignoring those young people who have had or are having sexual intercourse;
(5) provides information about the effectiveness, health benefits, and side effects of all contraceptives and barrier methods as a means to prevent pregnancy;
(6) provides information about the effectiveness, health benefits, and side effects of all contraceptives and barrier methods as a means to reduce the risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDS;
(7) encourages family communication about sexuality between parent and child;
(8) teaches young people the skills to make responsible decisions about sexuality, including how to avoid unwanted verbal, physical, and sexual advances and how not to make unwanted verbal, physical, and sexual advances; and
(9) teaches young people how alcohol and drug use can affect responsible decisionmaking.
© ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES- In carrying out a program of family life education, a State may expend a grant under subsection (a) to carry out educational and motivational activities that help young people--
(1) gain knowledge about the physical, emotional, biological, and hormonal changes of adolescence and subsequent stages of human maturation;
(2) develop the knowledge and skills necessary to ensure and protect their sexual and reproductive health from unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease, including HIV/AIDS throughout their lifespan;
(3) gain knowledge about the specific involvement of and male responsibility in sexual decisionmaking;
(4) develop healthy attitudes and values about adolescent growth and development, body image, gender roles, racial and ethnic diversity, sexual orientation, and other subjects;
(5) develop and practice healthy life skills including goal-setting, decisionmaking, negotiation, communication, and stress management;
(6) promote self-esteem and positive interpersonal skills focusing on relationship dynamics, including, but not limited to, friendships, dating, romantic involvement, marriage and family interactions;
(7) prepare for the adult world by focusing on educational and career success, including developing skills for employment preparation, job seeking, independent living, financial self-sufficiency, and workplace productivity; and
(8) create realistic budgets based on potential income, and the costs associated with life with and without children and with and without multiple incomes.
(d) DEFINITIONS-
For purposes of this Section:
(1) The term 'eligible State' means a State that submits to the Secretary an application for a grant under subsection (a) that is in such form, is made in such manner, and contains such agreements, assurances, and information as the Secretary determines to be necessary to carry out this Act. The State must also consent to participate in a Nationwide evaluation on the effectiveness of the programs outlined in subsection (b) and produce a Statewide evaluation for the Secretary.
(2) The term 'HIV/AIDS' means the human immunodeficiency virus, and includes acquired immune deficiency syndrome.
(3) The term 'medically accurate', with respect to information, means information that is supported by research, recognized as accurate and objective by leading medical, psychological, psychiatric, and public health organizations and agencies, and where relevant, published in peer review journals.
(e) APPROPRIATIONS- For the purpose of carrying out this Section, there is authorized to be appropriated $206,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2016 through 2020.
(f) ALLOCATIONS- Of the amounts appropriated under subsection (e) for a fiscal year--
(1) not more than 7 percent may be used for the administrative expenses of the Secretary in carrying out this Act for that fiscal year; and
(2) not more than 10 percent may be used for the Nationwide evaluation under subsection(d)(1).
SEC. 104. PREGNANCY COUNSELING AND DAYCARE QUALIFIED GRANT PROGRAM.
(a) IN GENERAL- Each eligible university, college, and high school shall be entitled to receive from the Secretary, for each of the fiscal years 2016 through 2020, a grant to support pregnant women and provide resources and support to help women continue their education if they keep or plan to put their child up for adoption.
(b) USE OF GRANTS- These grants shall help universities, colleges, and high schools establish on-campus offices for counseling, referral, and parenting services for pregnant women and daycare service.
(c.) FEDERAL GUIDELINES- The Secretary is hereby authorized upon the enactment of this Act to create a federal guideline for such offices, and may use such guideline in determining the qualifications of an educational institution applying for a grant under subsection (a).
(d) DEFINITION- The term 'eligible university, college, and high school' means a university, college, or high school that submits to the Secretary an application for a grant under subsection (a) that is in such form, is made in such manner, and contains such agreements, assurances, and information as the Secretary determines to be necessary to carry out this Section. The institution must also consent to participate in a Nationwide evaluation on the effectiveness of the programs outlined in subsection (b) and produce a self-evaluation for the Secretary no less than one year after the reception of a grant under subsection (a).
(e) APPROPRIATIONS- For the purpose of carrying out this Section, there is authorized to be appropriated $250,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2016 through 2020.
(f) ALLOCATIONS- Of the amounts appropriated under subsection (e) for a fiscal year--
(1) not more than 7 percent may be used for the administrative expenses of the Secretary in carrying out this Act for that fiscal year; and
(2) not more than 10 percent may be used for the Nationwide evaluation under subsection (d).
SEC. 105. ADOPTION TAX CREDIT EXPANSION.
The Adoption Tax Credit created under the Adoption Tax Credit Act shall be expanded to $7,500.
SEC. 106. PREGNANCY AS A PRE-EXISTING CONDITION.
No insurance agency may discriminate against a woman due to a prior pregnancy in assessing the risk associated with a health care plan. Pregnancy may not be listed as a 'pre-existing condition' in association to health insurance.
SEC. 107. ADOPTION REFERRAL INFORMATION.
(a) IN GENERAL- Pregnancy centers and women's health centers that provide pregnancy counseling and receive federal funding must provide adoption referral information.
(b) FEDERAL GUIDELINE- The Secretary is hereby authorized to create a Federal guideline for such adoption referral information, and is authorized to prioritize federal funding to pregnancy centers and women's health centers that comply with subsection (a).
SEC. 108. EQUITY IN PRESCRIPTION INSURANCE AND CONTRACEPTIVE COVERAGE.
(a) REQUIREMENTS FOR COVERAGE- A group health plan, and a health insurance issuer providing health insurance coverage in connection with a group health plan, may not--
(1) exclude or restrict benefits for prescription contraceptive drugs or devices approved by the Food and Drug Administration, or generic equivalents approved as substitutable by the Food and Drug Administration, if such plan or coverage provides benefits for other outpatient prescription drugs or devices; or
(2) exclude or restrict benefits for outpatient contraceptive services if such plan or coverage provides benefits for other outpatient services provided by a health care professional (referred to in this section as 'outpatient health care services').
(b) PROHIBITIONS- A group health plan, and a health insurance issuer providing health insurance coverage in connection with a group health plan, may not--
(1) deny to any individual eligibility to enroll or to renew coverage under the terms of the plan because of the individual's or enrollee's use or potential use of items or services that are covered in accordance with the requirements of this section;
(2) provide monetary payments or rebates to discourage such an individual from receiving the full protections available under this section;
(3) penalize or otherwise limit or reduce the reimbursement of a health care professional because such professional prescribe contraceptive drugs or devices or provided contraceptive services described in subsection (a) in accordance with this section; or
(4) provide incentives (monetary or otherwise) to a health care professional to induce such professional to withhold from a covered individual contraceptive drugs or devices, or contraceptive services described in subsection (a).
© NOTICE UNDER GROUP HEALTH PLAN- The imposition of the requirements of this section shall be treated as a material modification in the terms of the plan described in section 102(a)(1) of Subpart B of part 7 of subtitle B of title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (29 U.S.C. 1185 et seq.), for purposes of assuring notice of such requirements under the plan.
(d) PREEMPTION- Nothing in this section shall be construed to preempt any provision of State law to the extent that such State law establishes, implements, or continues in effect any standard or requirement that provides coverage or protections for participants or beneficiaries that are greater than the coverage or protections required under this section.
(e) DEFINITION- In this section, the term 'outpatient contraceptive services' means consultations, examinations, procedures, and medical services, provided on an outpatient basis and related to the use of contraceptive methods (including natural family planning) to prevent an unintended pregnancy.
SEC. 109. TRUTH IN CONTRACEPTION.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any information concerning the use of a contraceptive provided through any federally funded sex education, family life education, abstinence education, comprehensive health education, or character education program shall be medically accurate and shall include health benefits and failure rates relating to the use of such contraceptive.
TITLE II -- PROTECT OUR CHILDREN
SECTION 201. FINDINGS.
Congress finds that--
(1) The Special Nutrition for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) is funded at about $4.9 billion, which is $268 million less than what’s needed to serve the current 7.86–7.90 million participants;
(2) 8,200,000 pregnant women, infants, and young children need to be served by the program. Thus, an eight percent reduction translates into 670,000 fewer people being served.
(3) Cuts could force more recipients to lose WIC.
(4) It is estimated that every dollar spent on WIC results in between $1.77 and $3.13 in Medicaid savings for newborns and their mothers.
SEC. 202. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
(a) There is hereby authorized to be appropriated $5,168,000,000 for the Special Nutrition for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program for the fiscal year 2016.
(b) The Federal budget must specifically enumerate outlays to the WIC program.
SEC. 203. COUNSELING IN MATERNITY GROUP HOMES.
Voluntary adoption counseling and the teaching of parenting skills is hereby a prerequisite for the federal funding of maternity group homes. The Secretary hereby must withhold funding to enforce the provisions of this Section.
SEC. 204. START HEALTHY, STAY HEALTHY.
(a) Title XIX of the Social Security Act (Medicaid) is hereby amended to:
(1) give States the option to expand coverage to pregnant women;
(2) provide for enhanced matching funds with respect to pregnant women if the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines that such coverage is adequate;
(3) pay for such Medicaid expansion costs out of the SSA title XXI (State Child's Health Insurance, SCHIP) allotment; and
(4) no longer require that a newborn child be a member of the mother's household and that the mother remain eligible for Medicaid during the one year period after birth in order for the newborn child to continue to be eligible for Medicaid.
(b) Title XXI of the SSA is hereby amended to give States the option of providing pregnancy-related assistance for targeted low-income pregnant women in accordance with this Act, which includes:
(1) automatic enrollment for children born to women receiving pregnancy-related assistance;
(3) additional allotments for providing coverage of pregnant women; and
(4) no cost-sharing for pregnancy-related services.
(c.) Title XXI of the SSA is hereby amended to provide for enhanced matching funds with respect to subsection (b) if the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines that such assistance is adequate.
(d) INCREASE IN SCHIP INCOME ELIGIBILITY-
(1) DEFINITION OF LOW-INCOME CHILD- Section 2110©(4) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 42 U.S.C. 1397jj©(4)) is amended by striking `200' and inserting `250'.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
I think this bill would represent the views of most if not all Progressives, because it offers a truly comprehensive plan to reduce abortions through education and offering viable alternatives to women, without including a ban (blanket or otherwise) on the procedure itself. I think that for too long neoconservatives and religious extremists have used the abortion issue as a club with which to pummel Progressives and label us ridiculuosly as "child-murderers." And for too long, I think Progressives have allowed them to get away with it. Perhaps the lack of a strong platform outlining our position on abortion is to blame for that, and I feel that this bill--offered in the spirit of a political simulator that tries to educate and foment participation in the political process--is an excellent means of laying out and offering that position as well as a viable set of alternatives for pregnant women and girls who find themselves unable to care for an infant.
So what say you, fellow Progressives? Is this something that you feel we can run with, and make work? More importantly, is it a position on abortion you feel you can live with, and perhaps work to implement on a governmental level? I'd like to read your input.
-
Unsu...
Re: A Stance On Abortion
Sun, August 28, 2005 - 7:55 PMSounds good
I suggest you post this on dailykos.com to get additional feedback
Probably the process of moving such legislation into the limelight would clarify who wants to help reduce abortions and who wants to play politics or play religious politics -
-
Re: A Stance On Abortion
Fri, September 2, 2005 - 4:14 PMI agree. While far from perfect, such a bill would actually offer viable/improved alternatives to abortion without making it illegal. I think the primary focus of discussion should be twofold; first we need to establish where we stand on Roe v Wade, and second we need to show that if we're going to support Roe v Wade then we can and will offer alternatives. I think too many so-called pro-lifers are just plain hypocrites, they're not out to save life but to control it. Otherwise, why support war or the death penalty, and why not do the work to reduce the number of abortions by offering alternatives? It reeks to me of laziness, and apathy toward those who must deal with the consequences of unwanted pregnancies.
Plus, I think the far right has for too long been allowed to get away with pidgeonholing progressives and labeling us as "baby-killers" if we support abortion. I think legislation such as the above stands as a decent starting point to show that while we support Roe v Wade we also are the ones actually willing to do the real work of reducing abortions by offering alternatives and preventing unwanted pregnancies in the first place.
-