Sen. Boxer joins abortion fray [View All]

Sen. Boxer joins abortion fray

Law changes abortion rules

Wednesday, November 24, 2004

By CLAIRE VITUCCI / Washington Bureau
Press - Enterprise

WASHINGTON - California Sen. Barbara Boxer has vowed to fight a provision attached to a congressional budget bill that would allow some Inland health-care providers to ignore state requirements that they offer abortion services to patients.

The measure was included in a massive congressional spending bill that passed Congress over the weekend. President Bush is expected to sign it into law. It would stop federal, state and local agencies from withholding federal money from health-care providers that refuse to provide abortions or refuse to offer abortion counseling or referrals.

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Federal law now allows a "conscience protection" to doctors, which allows them to decline to provide abortion services or undergo abortion training based on religious beliefs... But Kathy Kneer, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California, said the fear is that states like California might face a loss in federal funding if they demand that all Medicaid providers offer abortion-related services. She called the amendment "fundamentally flawed and overbroad."

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Boxer said she would bring up legislation appealing the provision when the Senate reconvenes next year, making sure she launches her fight before April.

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Reach Claire Vitucci at (202) 661-8422 or cvitucci@pe.com

Online at: http://www.pe.com/localnews/inland/stories/PE_News_Local_abort24.a1128.html