H.R. 3495 The Women's Public Health and Safety Act

H.R. 3495, the Women’s Public Health and Safety Act, would amend Title XIX of the Social Security Act to give states the flexibility to exclude from their Medicaid programs individuals or entities that are involved in abortion.

Numerous states have enacted laws to bar Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers from receiving public funding, including reimbursements through the Medicaid program. Under current law, an entity may participate in the Medicaid program if it is deemed “qualified.” The Obama administration and federal courts have declared Planned Parenthood to be a “qualified” provider. H.R. 3495 would clarify the law to give states the ability to declare that organizations or persons involved in abortion are not qualified to receive federal funding.

Text

The complete text of H.R. 3495 as passed by the House may be found at https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/3495/text?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22%5C%22hr3495%5C%22%22%5D%7D&resultIndex=1

Co-Sponsors

H.R. 3495 was introduced by Congressman Sean Duffy (WI-7). A list of the bill’s co-sponsors may be found at https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/3495/cosponsors?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22%5C%22hr3495%5C%22%22%5D%7D&resultIndex=1

Status

9-11-15 H.R. 3495 introduced in the House of Representatives and referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.

9-28-15 House Rules Committee sends H.R. 3495 to the House floor for consideration.

9-29-15 House votes 236-193 to pass H.R. 3495. The roll call vote on the bill may be found at https://clerk.house.gov/evs/2015/roll524.xml

Statements

9-29-15 A video of Congressman Sean Duffy’s floor statement in support of his bill is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GO9EcQiACO8&feature=youtu.be

9-29-15 A video of Congressman Chris Smith’s floor statement in support of H.R. 3495 is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMa4qx4ZLcU&feature=youtu.be