Legislative Update March 16, 2022

by guest author April Hawley, Volunteer Lobbyist for CHEC

What about the fundamental right to life?

It is with a heavy heart that I bring to you an update on HB22-1279 Reproductive Health Equity Act (“RHEA”). I’m not even sure where to begin in unwrapping this package that was swiftly thrust upon us and quickly ramrodded through the House this week. To start, I’d like to point out a few of the troubling  elements found in the bill:

• Denies the rights of human beings in the womb from conception to birth
• Usurps parental notification in state law
• Allows partial-birth abortions
• Prohibits regulation of the abortion industry
• Creates a fundamental right to reproductive health care

Beginning Wednesday evening and spilling into the early morning hours Thursday morning, for nine hours individuals in opposition shared their heartfelt, and sometimes heartbreaking, testimony before the House Health & Insurance committee. Sadly, the bill passed committee Thursday morning and was quickly scheduled for second reading in the House Friday. For a record setting 24 hours straight, the Republican caucus valiantly debated and advocated for the sanctity of life and parental rights. The bill passed the House, unamended.  It now heads to the Senate. Please, contact all the Senators and let them know what you think about this bill. Find their emails here.

As seen with RHEA, parental rights have long been a target and in a state of erosion. However, there is one small victory we can celebrate — last week also brought the passage of HB22-1090 Reasonable Independence For Children in the Senate Health & Human Services committee which had already passed unanimously through the House.

There are two  bills coming up in the House regarding the regulation of Health Care Sharing Ministries (HCSMs). One (HB22-1269) would place HCSMs under the supervision of the Division of Insurance with heavy regulations, the other (HB22-1198) provides another alternative with no government oversight.  Please consider participating in the testimony phase of the hearings. Both bills have been scheduled in the House Health & Insurance committee on Wednesday, March 23rd at 1:30 PM in room HCR 0112.

Please  join us in prayer for the hearts and minds and salvation of our governing authorities. That they know of God’s love, power, grace, and judgment. That they will have such a powerful encounter with Him, that they can no longer deny His existence and righteousness.

April Hawley, Volunteer Lobbyist for CHEC

IMPORTANT NOTE: There will be a Senate hearing in the Senate Judiciary on Thursday upon adjournment of the Senate floor for HB22-1279. They will be taking in person or remote testimony. Sign up to testify here.