A Call to Action
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On Monday, June 17, 2024, New Jersey Senate Democrats introduced S3452, legislation that would further expand abortion access in New Jersey.
The Senate Commerce Committee has yet to schedule S3452 for a hearing. However, the Senate sponsors have indicated their intention to “fast track” the legislation before the end June.
If signed into law, S3452 would:- Enshrines into state law the NJ Dept. of Banking and Insurance regulations that eliminate all out-of-pocket costs for abortions by mandating all state-regulated health plans cover 100% of the procedure. Not only could this increase consumers’ health insurance premiums, but it will allocate an undetermined amount of public funding to pay for abortions for patients who have Medicaid.
- Enshrines into state law the Board of Medical Examiner’s regulations granting non-physicians permission to perform abortions; and
- Prohibits malpractice insurance providers from penalizing medical professionals for providing abortions or gender-affirming care on the basis the procedures are illegal in other states.
As Catholics and people of good will, we must Take Action to stop the threatening expansion of abortion access in New Jersey.
If your State Senator serves on the Senate Commerce Committee that will determine if S3452 will advance in the Legislature, we urge you to contact her/him now and ask them to vote “NO” on this harmful bill.
If your State Senator is not on the Committee, please contact him/her and ask that they urge their colleagues on the committee to vote "NO" on the bill. Voter Voice will determine whether or not your Senator is on the Commerce Committee and customize the letter accordingly..png)
Click the link below to log in and send your message:
https://www.votervoice.net/BroadcastLinks/tUQR5qCiDvGS7caEuN-6eA
Legislative Alert….
Urgent Responses Needed!At the Federal level: The Hyde Amendment
Another matter that should rouse us to action is the possible repeal of the “Hyde Amendment,” in effect since 1975, that prohibits the use of federal Medicaid dollars for abortions except in cases of rape, incest, or when the life of the mother is endangered. It has been renewed annually, but when the President signed the “American Rescue Plan Act” on March 11, the renewal was excluded.
Please sign the petition to oppose the repeal of the Hyde Amendment by visiting https://www.notaxpayerabortion.com or https://www.votervoice.net/USCCB/home.At the Federal level: HR-5—the Equality Act
Please urge our US Senators to OPPOSE the passage of H.R.5—the Equality Act.
Why? If signed into law, the act could:- Require women to compete with men/boys in sports & share locker rooms & showers with men/boys
- Force faith-based charities…that serve all people to violate their religious beliefs, or shut down.
- Jeopardize existing prohibitions on the use of federal tax dollars for abortions, likely pressuring or even mandating health care providers to perform abortions in violation of their consciences.
- Hindering care by forcing health care professionals, against their better judgment, to support treatments & procedures associated with “gender transition.”
Proponents of the Act claim that it is intended to protect people with same-sex attractions or gender discordance from unjust discrimination. Such protection is affirmed in the Catholic Catechism, but this Act attempts to address this discrimination in a way that would impact the constitutional rights of all religious communities to practice their faith free from governmental interference. If signed into law, the Act would force the Church’s institutions and agencies to provide services that are contrary to Catholic teaching. Refusal to do so may involve harsh penalties and force them to close.
Let your voice be heard: Visit the NJCC Action Alert System: https://njcatholic.org/ and click on “Take Action Now.”