Governor Abbott Announces Growing Support for Pro-Life Insurance Reform

AUSTIN, Texas, July 20 -- Gov. Greg Abbott, R-Texas, issued the following news release:

Governor Greg Abbott today announced that his call for pro-life insurance reform is generating growing support across Texas. Pro-life insurance reform is part of the Governor's 20-item agenda for the ongoing special legislative session.

"NO, I mean no, Texan who has a health insurance plan should be required to fund abortions services, period. Those services should be moved to supplemental coverage, which is then billed to the person electing to have the abortion. No one should be compelled to fund an act they see clearly as taking another human's life." - Trayce Bradford, President, Texas Eagle Forum

"Texans for Life has long opposed insurance coverage of abortion, especially coverage that requires taxpayer subsidies. Abortion is not healthcare, and no Texan should be forced to subsidize it." - Kyleen Wright, President, Texans for Life

"With so much of the health care system now intertwined with government agencies at all levels, Texans have a right to demand that their hard-earned tax dollars do not support activities that takes the life of an innocent, unborn child. It's time to close the loopholes that allow for this type of public funding of abortion." - Jonathan Saenz, President, Texas Values

"The Texas Baptist Christian Life Commission strongly opposes abortion coverage in government-funded or government subsidized insurance plans, because it forces pro-life Texans to subsidize abortions. We commend Governor Abbott for placing this issue on the special session call and pray that the Legislature will pass this important legislation." - Gus Reyes, Director, Texas Baptist Christian Life Commission

"We applaud Governor Abbott for taking a strong pro-life stance by adding pro-life insurance reform to the special session call. Insurance providers in Texas, specifically those affiliated with local and statewide governments, should not cover abortion procedures unless it is to save the life of the mother." - Joe Pojman, Ph.D., Executive Director, Texas Alliance for Life

"The Texas Bishops stand in strong opposition to the inclusion of abortion coverage in insurance plans, especially those that are government funded or subsidized, because it forces other community members to fund abortions. Passage of legislation with these prohibitions is needed to protect the conscience pro-life Texans." - Jennifer Allmon, Executive Director, Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops

"The Southern Baptists of Texas Convention supports restricting insurance coverage of abortion. People of faith who oppose abortion should not be forced to spend money on insurance premiums that cover non-emergency abortions. Their contributions to governmental, charitable, and other entities should never be used to fund abortions and other practices that destroy innocent human life." - Gary Ledbetter, Communications Director, Southern Baptists of Texas Convention.