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PRESS RELEASE

Why is HealthSource RI concealing Governor Chafee's victory for abortion-on-demand?

 

For immediate release:

October 2, 2013

For more information:

Barth E. Bracy, Executive Director

Office: (401) 521-1860 / Mobile: (401) 225-8646

 

Why is HealthSource RI concealing Governor Chafee's victory for abortion-on-demand?

Providence, RI-The Rhode State Island Right to Life Committee (RIRTL) wonders why HealthSource RI is concealing Governor Lincoln Chafee's hard-fought and unprecedented victory for government-subsidized abortion-on-demand and for mandatory abortion fees in Rhode Island's Obamacare exchange.

With HealthSource RI now operating, it appears that the 28 plans available for sale on the exchange (16 for small businesses, 12 for individuals and families) fail to disclose the fact that they all include coverage for abortion-on-demand, that is, for abortions other than those in the cases of rape or incest, or where the life of the mother would be endangered.

According to RIRTL executive director Barth E. Bracy, "We have been fighting in the General Assembly since 2011 trying to blunt Chafee's extreme agenda on government subsidies for insurance plans that cover abortion-on-demand and, more recently, his imposition of a mandatory abortion fee on all Rhode Island individuals, families, and businesses who wish to purchase health insurance through HealthSource RI. Chafee's audacious yet constitutionally dubious end-run around the General Assembly has won the day for him and his fellow abortion-industry colleagues on the board of NARAL. Why are they trying to conceal their hard-fought victory?"

"Is Chafee worried," wonders Bracy "that the lack of disclosure violates the provision of the Affordable Care Act requiring plans that cover elective abortion to provide notice to enrollees as part of the summary of benefits and coverage explanation? Is he concerned that his exchange violates the provision of the Affordable Care Act requiring the availability of at least one exchange-plan that does not provide coverage for elective abortion? Is he anxious that his administration might somehow have violated the provision of the Affordable Care Act that insurers cannot be required to provide coverage for elective abortion in their exchange-plans? Or is he simply aware that many Rhode Islanders would strongly disapprove of his machinations?"

Under HealthSource RI, pro-life individuals, families, nonprofits, and small businesses are not free to purchase health insurance without paying a mandatory abortion fee, and thereby seriously violating their conscience and their principles. The Rhode Island State Right to Life Committee believes the citizens of Rhode Island deserve protection from this unprecedented government coercion and answers as to whether Chafee's mandatory abortion fee violates the law. 

About Rhode Island Right to Life: Rhode Island Right to Life was founded in 1970 with the mission to advocate for a state, nation and world in which the innocent lives of the unborn, the disabled, the elderly and the ill are valued by the citizenry and protected by civil law. RI Right to Life lobbies for legislation that advances the cause of the sanctity of human life at both the state and federal levels. RI Right to Life is the state affiliate of the National Right to Life Committee.

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P.O. Box 28285, Providence, RI 02908

(401) 521-1860 * Fax (401) 521-1876 * www.rirtl.org

Nonprofit * Nonpartisan * Nonsectarian