Written by Americans United for Life

A bill that would force pro-life health care providers in Illinois to promote and participate in abortion, SB 1564, passed the Senate and now moves to the House. Plainly bad policy, the bill would also violate federal law. A bipartisan letter from Members of the federal Illinois delegation urges state legislators to immediately cease consideration of SB 1564.

If the bill becomes law, pro-life doctors and pregnancy centers in Illinois, which exist solely to provide alternatives to abortion, would be forced to distribute information on where to obtain abortions.

The unnecessary and coercive policy could cost Illinois its federal funding.

The Members of Congress explain that the Illinois Senate-passed bill does more than problematically “gut the conscience protections currently enshrined in [Illinois law].” The bill would “stand in stark contrast to the requirements of superseding federal law, including the Church Amendment, the Coats-Snowe Amendment, and the annual Hyde-Weldon Amendment.”

Violating these longstanding federal laws would come with a heavy price tag for the people of Illinois. The Members of Congress write that “such legislation could seriously imperil funds for healthcare programs, including reimbursements under Medicare and Medicaid.”

SB 1564 is bad for everyone in Illinois.

Originally published at AUL.org.

 Take ACTION: Click HERE to send an email or a fax to your state representative. Ask him/her to uphold Rights of Conscience for medical personnel, and vote NO to SB 1564.  (If you have already sent an email to your state senator, please send an email to your state representative.)

Please also call your state representative during normal business hours.  The Capitol switchboard number is (217) 782-2000.