President Obama is turning up the heat on Congress this week with an address to a joint session tonight. He’ll urge the lawmakers to move forward quickly on health care reform which, as currently proposed, threatens the unborn, the ill, and the elderly. It will be the first time that a President has addressed a joint session of Congress that wasn’t a State of the Union, or a traditional first address by a new President, since President George W. Bush spoke on the war on terrorism following the 9/11 attacks.

As we have since the White House’s health care reform efforts began, Americans United for Life Action is responding vigorously to provide the evidence about the anti-life components of the current health care reform proposals.

The AUL Action team is grateful for your support in this ongoing effort to protect life through the democratic legislative process. I invite you to check out our legal team’s “Back to the Hill” guide on our special health care reform Web site RealHealthCareRespectsLife.com to learn what to expect next as Congress considers the health care reform proposals.

There are a lot of myths spreading about health care -- even in the halls of Congress. Just the other day, Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued her “Daily Mythbuster” which ironically spreads the myth that the government will not pay for or subsidize abortion coverage under pending health care legislation. Today, AULA sent a letter to Speaker Pelosi responding to her incorrect claims. Then, on Thursday, we will brief members of Congress and legislative staffers about the elements of the health care proposals that would mandate funding and coverage for abortion.

The following week brings another important meeting: Earlier this summer we sent a letter to the President relaying your concerns about health care reform and requesting a meeting to discuss abortion funding in his plan. The White House has responded to our request, and we will be meeting with two of President Obama’s top domestic policy aides, Melody Barnes and Tina Tchen, on September 17.

At that meeting, I will give the White House our Keep Abortion Out of Health Care petition. If you haven’t already signed it, please visit RealHealthCareRespectsLife.com and add your name to the thousands who have already signed. And remember to send the message to members of Congress too! Our AUL Action site has a form that enables you to contact your legislators quickly and easily.

Thank you for all your support as we work to protect and defend life!

For Life,
Charmaine Yoest, Ph.D.
President & CEO