Open Letter to Congressman Bart Stupak

March 8, 2010

Representative Bart Stupak
United States Congress
2268 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Sent by fax to (202) 225-4744
Original copy sent by Mail

Dear Congressman Stupak:

I applaud your courage regarding the Health Care Reform bill and your strong stand against the Senate bill’s multiple provisions to expand abortion funding. 

As a Pro-Life Democrat serving in the New York State Senate, I certainly appreciate the pressure you must be feeling to toe the line. 

Like many Americans, I am deeply concerned that the text of the Health Care Reform bill’s Senate version guarantees public funding for elective abortions. I recall President Obama’s words to our nation on September 9th that there will be no federal dollars for abortion, and trust that pro-life Democrats in Congress – like you – will help hold him to those words.

I would like to offer you my support and encouragement that you not compromise on our basic pro-life principles that protect the lives of the vulnerable.  We must not allow special interests – like the abortion industry – to advance their cause subsumed into the greater goal of health care reform.

H.R. 3590’s multiple provisions that facilitate abortion funding include new grants to federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) and contain no restriction on abortion payments whatsoever. This is unacceptable.  These FQHCs are the community health care centers and primary clinics that serve low-income Americans.  As the State Senator serving the South Bronx, it troubles me greatly that many individuals and families whom I serve rely upon these types of facilities – and that these clinics also serve as a prime target to expand federally funded abortions.  This is reprehensible. 

As the President of the New York Hispanic Clergy Organization, I, along with my fellow ministers, will pray that the Lord will bless you and your colleagues in Congress with fortitude.  Whatever form health care reform takes, it must not be done by sacrificing the lives of hundreds of thousands of unborn American children. 

Respectfully,

Senator Reverend Ruben Diaz