WASHINGTON, DC – Rep. Pete Olson (TX-22) reintroduced his pro-life legislation intended to provide greater transparency by requiring states to report how Medicaid funds are spent on organizations that promote, perform or refer for abortion services. The Taxpayer Conscience Protection Act, H.R. 708, would provide better accountability of taxpayer funds that go to organizations that perform or promote abortions. Original cosponsors include: Rep. Mark Meadows (NC-11), Rep. Alex Mooney (WV-2), Rep. Jim Banks (IN-3), Rep. Mike Rogers (AL-3), Rep. Andy Biggs (AZ-5), Rep. Tom Cole (OK-4) and Rep. Bill Posey (FL-8).
“Americans continue to stand in defense of life and deserve accountability from their government on how limited tax dollars are spent,” Rep. Pete Olson said. “Opposition to tax dollars being spent on abortion is growing. I’m proud to reintroduce the Taxpayer Conscience Protection Act in the 116th Congress and will continue to stand for life, giving a voice to the voiceless.”
H.R. 708 provides a critical tool to ensure that state funds allocated to organizations that promote or perform abortions through Medicaid are known to the public. It directs each state that makes a Medicaid payment from federal funds during the fiscal year for any items or services furnished by an abortion provider to: (1) report to the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) on all such payments, and (2) publish the report on a public Internet website of the state. It also requires an annual report to specified congressional committees on such reports, which shall also be published on a public Internet HHS website.