It is disheartening to hear that a program intended to protect children is not really protecting them. The State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) is up for debate on the Senate floor this week and steps are being taken to move away from insuring and protecting an unborn child while instead providing insurance and services to the “pregnant woman”. Such an egregious disregard for the program’s intent should be rectified for our children’s sake, and Sen. Wayne Allard (R-Colorado) has offered an amendment to the bill to codify protection for the unborn.

The Bush Administration announced a policy in 2002 that allowed states the option to cover unborn children through SCHIP, providing for prenatal care and delivery for pregnant mothers and their unborn children. This policy keeps with the intent of SCHIP to cover children. But, covering the pregnancy and not the child could allow a mother to receive all pregnancy related services including abortion under this program.

The Bush policy has not yet been codified into law. At the close of the Bush Administration, then, unborn children may lose this important protection and coverage.

Sen. Allard has filed his amendment, Amendment 2535, to the Small Business Tax Relief Act (H.R. 976), which is the vehicle that the Senate is using to consider SCHIP.  Sen. Allard’s amendment would codify the Bush policy into law and provide a consistent policy to states that protects the unborn. Covering an adult under a children’s health insurance program takes needed care away from deserving children and also puts her unborn child at risk as she may receive services including abortion under this program.

Take Action!

It is urgent that you call your Senators and ask them to support the Allard amendment, Amendment 2535, to SCHIP. Remind them that this amendment keeps the intent of this program and respects the sanctity of all human life.

Senate Switchboard: 202-224-3121