Cross-posted from the Virginia Progressive Caucus website at http://vaprogressivecaucus.blo…
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 3, 2012
Contact: Nicholas Kessler, 804-381-6647
vaprogressivecaucus@gmail.com
Bill Would End State Abortion Coverage In Cases Of Incapacitating Physical Deformity
Richmond – Yesterday, the Virginia House of Delegates voted to give approval on second reading to HB 62. This bill would cut off state abortion funding in cases in which a physician certifies that the fetus would be born with a gross and totally incapacitating physical deformity or mental deficiency.
The patrons of HB 62 are Del. Mark Cole (R-Stafford) and Del. Robert Marshall (R-Prince William).
The Progressive Caucus released its 2012 agenda in January, including the policy goal of opposing “attacks on the fetal anomaly exception for Medicaid recipients.” The Progressive Caucus strongly opposes HB 62.
Delegate Charniele Herring (D-Alexandria) said, “If HB 62 is successful and signed by the Governor, Virginia will show itself as a state that lacks compassion for the poorest women among us. It is time to stop beating up on the poor and destroying our safety net.”
Delegate Jennifer McClellan (D-Richmond) said, “This bill inserts government in the most painful decision a woman has to make-to terminate a wanted pregnancy that went horribly wrong-and says if you are poor, we are going to force you to give birth to a child that will likely not survive.”
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