Reverence For Life

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Office for Civil Rights announced yesterday that it is taking corrective action against the University of Vermont Medical Center (UVMMC) and the State of California for violating federal conscience laws on abortion. The UVMMC violated the Church Amendment (enacted in 1973) by forcing a nurse to participate in an elective abortion against her religious beliefs and moral convictions.  

The Planned Parenthood-backed bill Assembly Bill 1973 (Kamlager – D, Los Angeles), that would have eliminated deductibles, co-payments, or other cost-sharing requirements for abortions under Medi-Cal, a health care service plan, or an individual or group disability insurance policy, failed to secure a hearing in the Assembly Health Committee and will not be moving forward this legislative session.

Last week, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and leaders of many healthcare, bioethics, and pro-life organizations sent a letter to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).

As they usually do soon after getting laws passed, supporters of physician-assisted suicide are looking for ways to make it easier for more people to end their life with the aid of a doctor.

Today, the Supreme Court of the United States hears oral argument in an abortion case out of Louisiana, June Medical Services v. Russo.

Andy Rivas, executive director of the California Catholic Conference, issued the following statement on the signing of SB 24:

Andrew Rivas, executive director of the California Catholic Conference, issued the following statement today in response to the passage of SB 24: 

In a late addition to a budget trailer bill, California lawmakers added $10 million dollars in funding for the California Health Center Security Grant Program earmarked specifically for health centers that provide abortion services. 

In a late addition to a budget trailer bill, California lawmakers added $10 million dollars in funding for the California Health Center Security Grant Program earmarked specifically for health centers that provide abortion services. 

Governor Newsom has signed into law a bill aimed at providing help to single parents in college as they balance classwork and parenting. One of our Catholic Advocacy Day bill, the Conference has been working diligently on the passage of AB 809 for the entire session