Media

For Immediate Release
Jan. 27th, 2020
Alison Howard Centofante
Director of External Affairs, Live Action
alisoncentofante@liveaction.org
609-517-7235

Live Action Applauds HHS Action to Protect Preborn Children in California

Washington, DC –Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office for Civil Rights (OCR), announced it will take action to protect human life and the conscience rights of all Americans. OCR is issuing a Notice of Violation to the state of California, formally notifying California that it cannot impose universal abortion coverage mandates on health insurance plans and issuers in violation of federal conscience laws.   OCR’s investigation arose from two complaints alleging that California engaged in unlawful discrimination when California’s Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) ordered, in August 2014, that all health plan issuers under its jurisdiction must offer coverage for elective abortion in every plan they offer.  OCR has completed the investigation of the complaints and determined that California violated the Weldon Amendment by mandating that California health care plan issuers cover elective abortion in each plan product, and continues to violate federal law by continuing to require objecting health care entities protected by the Weldon Amendment to cover elective abortion. The Weldon Amendment is a  longstanding federal law that prohibits discrimination against organizations that do not cover abortion in their health care plans. If OCR does not receive sufficient assurance that California will come into compliance with federal law, California may ultimately face a limitation on continued receipt of certain HHS funds.

Statement from Live Action Director of External Affairs, Alison Howard Centofante:

“Sadly, California has been forcing all state-regulated insurance to fund the taking of innocent, preborn human life in their health care plans – regardless of conscientious objection – with impunity. Now, thanks to the Department of Health and Human Services, the state of California will have to answer for that violation of federal law. The Weldon Amendment has long prohibited discrimination against organizations that do not wish to fund abortion in their insurance plans, and today we have an administration willing to enforce it. California has no business promoting abortion in this or any way and no one should be made to participate in this grave human rights abuse.”

Live Action is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to exposing the truth about abortion and affirming the life of every child. Live Action exists to change hearts and minds about abortion through compelling educational media, human interest stories, and investigative reporting that exposes the lies and corruption in the abortion industry. With the largest online following in the pro-life movement, Live Action’s videos and content reach millions of people every week. Find out more at http://www.liveaction.org

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