Connecticut Catholic Conference Executive Director, Chris Healy, Releases Statement on Current Congressional Efforts to Eliminate the Hyde Amendment.

This statement is in response to Congressional efforts, lead by Connecticut Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D) and other pro-abortion advocates to eliminate the Hyde amendment. Over the last 44 years, this amendment has prevented federal funds from being used to provide abortions.

December 8, 2020

Contact: Christopher Healy Executive Director Connecticut Catholic Conference
chealy@ctcatholic.org

Statement by Chris Healy Concerning the Elimination of the Federal Hyde Amendment

The Connecticut Catholic Conference affirms its support of the federal Hyde Amendment as a means of limiting federal funding of abortion. Since 1976, this amendment has been attached to federal spending legislation as recognition of the conscientious objection of millions of Americans. As a result, federal funds can only pay for abortions in the case of rape, incest, or potential bodily harm to a woman. Tuesday, on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary, the U.S. House Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services held a hearing as a first step in eliminating the Hyde Amendment, this important law that protects the unborn.

Connecticut Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D), who will be the new Chair of the House Appropriations Committee, has targeted the Hyde Amendment. If repealed, the federal government would force those that oppose abortion on religious and moral grounds to pay for these procedures through their federal tax dollars- to pay for abortions in other states that have fewer protections for unborn children.

DeLauro’s goal to eliminate the Hyde Amendment is primarily aimed at ensuring that federal Medicaid and Title X funds can be used for abortions. This in turn would yield increased “access” to abortions for low-income women. Access means access to public dollars and the removal of all barriers to abortion on demand. The government would spend tens of millions of dollars on the abortion industry.

According to the State of Connecticut Department of Social Services, 75% of abortions performed in Connecticut during 2018 were fully covered by taxpayer dollars under its state Medicaid program, commonly known as HUSKY. Of the 9,294 abortions reported, state taxpayers spent $4.2million on 6,995 abortions performed on low-income women and their unborn children. The state has been covering these expenses since 1986. As a result, the lives of a disproportionate number of children of low-income mothers have been extinguished each year.

Has Connecticut’s abortion policy helped to reduce poverty in Connecticut? The answer is a resounding “No.” The percentage of those in poverty in various cities in our state remains and has remained the same for numerous years. Instead, increasing funding for abortions has reinforced the already strong financial positions of abortion providers, such as Planned Parenthood.

The Hyde Amendment protects the conscience rights of American citizens with a goal of encouraging life. The Connecticut model for funding abortion should not be replicated or encouraged. The Connecticut Catholic Conference strongly urges that this critical conscience protection remain.