URGENT ACTION NEEDED

Dear Friends in the Pro-Life Community,

Our nation stands at a critical crossroads—one that will shape the future of life, liberty, and conscience in America.

This week, President Trump urged Republican lawmakers to consider “flexibility” on the Hyde Amendment in ongoing negotiations over renewing Affordable Care Act (also known as Obamacare) health insurance premium subsidies. His call comes as Congress and the White House attempt to reach a deal to extend federal subsidies that lowered premiums for those enrolled in Obamacare that expired in December. The Affordable Care Act was never, in fact, affordable.

The Affordable Care Act used an accounting maneuver instead of openly funding abortion. Insurance plans are allowed to cover elective abortions, while federal subsidies help pay for those plans. The law argues abortion is not federally funded because insurers separate abortion dollars on paper—often just a one-dollar monthly fee. But, in fact, your tax dollars through the Federal subsidies, fund abortion.

For nearly 50 years, the Hyde Amendment has been a bedrock protection for innocent human life in federal spending. It prohibits federal dollars from paying for most abortions—signaling that no taxpayer should be forced to underwrite the destruction of a developing child. First enacted in 1976, the amendment prohibits the use of federal tax dollars for abortion, with narrow exceptions for rape, incest, or when a mother’s life is in danger. Congress renews it each year through appropriations bills, and lawmakers from both major parties have upheld it for nearly its entire history.

A study from the Charlotte Lozier Institute estimates that the Hyde Amendment has saved more than 2.6 million lives. According to a poll conducted by the Marist Institute for Public Opinion, which was commissioned by the Knights of Columbus, nearly 6 in 10 Americans oppose tax funding for abortions.

But now, as lawmakers work to renew ACA subsidies, some in Washington are signaling that Hyde might be negotiable or relaxed in exchange for support. This would undermine decades of consensus and open the door to allowing federal funds to support insurance plans that could cover elective abortions—even if indirectly through subsidies.

We cannot stand silent. Cincinnati Right to Life notes that Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America leader Marjorie Dannenfelser reminded pro-lifers that, prior to these comments, President Trump consistently supported the Hyde Amendment, including issuing a January executive order to enforce it that accused the Biden administration of disregarding this “commonsense policy.”

Cincinnati Right to Life stands with Susan B Anthony as well as Students for Life Action who shared: “Any healthcare plan that prioritizes a ‘deal’ over saving lives – in and out of the womb – deserves to die, not children. Republicans need to fix what the Democrats profoundly broke. Former President Barack Obama destroyed the American healthcare system with Obamacare, driving up costs and pushing life-ending policies with taxpayer funds. The GOP must work not for any deal, but for the right deal, one that cares for the least of these. Pro-Life voters will not stay loyal if the GOP cannot fix healthcare without destroying lives with abortion.”

In October, Cincinnati Right to Life stood alongside over 100 pro-life organizations in a joint letter to Republicans in the U.S. House and Senate, calling on lawmakers to reject taxpayer-funded abortion under Obamacare.

“As pro-life leaders, we urge you to raise your voice to unequivocally oppose any consideration of extending the COVID-era subsidies without Hyde protections. The pro-life Congress must not be a party to Obama’s abortion funding scheme.”

We in Ohio implore our senators to stand firm and say NO to any weakening of Hyde protections — no exceptions, no compromises. They must be reminded of the blood bath across Ohio, where TODAY ALONE, sixty, six-zero, 60 children in the womb in Southwest Ohio will die by abortion. Our tax dollars CANNOT fund this diabolical massacre.

Contact Your U.S. Senators From Ohio

Senator Bernie Moreno (R-OH)

Senator Jon Husted (R-OH)

What You Can Say

Here is a sample message to help you reach out:

Dear Senator [Moreno/Husted],
As your constituent, I am writing with deep concern about reports that Hyde protections might be weakened in negotiations over ACA subsidy legislation. In Ohio, we witness the ongoing massacre of preborn children every day. I urge you to stand firm and oppose any flexibility on the Hyde Amendment or any policy that would allow federal funds to be used—directly or indirectly—for abortion coverage. Our tax dollars should never pay for the destruction of human life. Thank you for defending the sanctity of life.

Sincerely,
[Your Name, City, OH]

Why This Matters

• Hyde is a lifesaving safeguard that has stopped countless taxpayer dollars from being used for elective abortions.

• Relaxing Hyde opens the door for federal subsidies to indirectly fund abortion through health plans.

• Ohio is bleeding innocent life. Our mothers and their babies deserve better than a government that funds death with our tax dollars.

This is a defining moment. Your voice makes a difference. Please take a few minutes today to call and email Senators Moreno and Husted and demand they defend Hyde without compromise.

Their offices measure the calls and emails…every connection makes a difference! Please speak for these poor babies!

Please forward this email to all your connections that might take action.

In Christ for Life,
Cincinnati Right to Life