WASHINGTON   –  U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson (MO-08) today said a federally-funded high-risk insurance pool for Pennsylvania residents may provide public funding for abortions.

“This is a dangerous precedent that could reverse years of protections against the use of tax dollars to fund elective abortion procedures, and it’s one of the many reasons I opposed the health care overhaul earlier this year,” Emerson said.  “Right now, every indication is that Pennsylvania will be able to draw funding for any legal abortions from the $160 million federal contribution to their high-risk insurance pool.  I’m outraged that this is even possible, and I urge the President to enforce the Executive Order banning federal funds for this purpose.”

The White House and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services were asked in May to substantiate President Obama’s pledge that, “no federal dollars will be used to fund abortions, and federal conscience laws will remain in place.”  Thus far, no response has been issued.

“Without guidance from the Administration that backs up their promises, states are getting millions of federal funding with no restrictions on funding for abortions from federal high-risk insurance pools,” Emerson said.  “Either they are missing this important detail of their health law or they are deliberately overlooking their promise to the American people.  Either way, what is happening is unconscionable.”