Illinois Federation for Right to Life
Legislative Update on HB 2354 (the Illinois FOCA bill)...
The proponents of House Bill 2354 have decided to introduce an amendment in an effort to find enough votes to pass the bill.
In short, the amendment attempts some minor improvements but falls terribly short. The amendment attempts to address the issues of medical malpractice liability, physician-only, and health care right of conscience. The amendment fails to meet our concerns, particularly regarding health care right of conscience as it still requires doctors or their employees to provide information on and make referrals for abortion. We will not accept any weakening of Illinois' Health Care Right of Conscience law.
Now is not the time to let up! April 3rd is the deadline for this bill's passage, and the proponents will try to convince legislators that the amendment makes enough changes to deserve their support. It is up to us to convince them otherwise! Please call your state representative again as soon as possible and ask again that he or she vote no on House Bill 2354. Tell them the amendment does not satisfy our objections.
If you do not know your state representative, click here to find your Legislators, you will have to enter your address and zip code. The name of your state representative and his or her contact information should come up.
Even after amended, House Bill 2354 still seeks to:
-- make abortion a fundamental right, preventing any common-sense regulation such as parental notification;
-- expand public funding of abortion through Medicaid and possibly state health insurance plans;
-- significantly weaken Illinois' Health Care Right of Conscience Act by requiring the provision of information and referrals for abortion;
-- mandates a program of comprehensive sex education in every public school.
Below is another response received from Representative Kathy Rygs (59th Dist.)
Thank you for taking the time to contact me about the Reproductive Healthcare Access Act.
The supporters of HB2354 met to review the Reproductive Healthcare Access Act. We agreed that additional clarifications are needed to reflect what the bill does and does not do. We agreed also that the bill will not be called for a vote in its present form. Your responses have helped me and my colleagues understand where the language is vague, leading to confusion, and/or misunderstanding. We do not wish to be misleading and will continue to monitor the discussions between the proponents and opponents as an amendment is prepared.
I will continue to keep you informed regarding the status of the bill and appreciate your effort in sharing your perspective.
Please call your state representative again as soon as possible and ask again that he or she vote no on House Bill 2354. Tell them the amendment does not satisfy our objections. If you do not know your state representative, click here to find their contact information.
