PERSONAL EXPLANATION -- HON. CHRISTOPHER SHAYS (Extensions of Remarks -
July 19, 1999)
[Page: E1594]
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HON. CHRISTOPHER SHAYS
OF CONNECTICUT
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
MONDAY, JULY 19, 1999
- Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, on Thursday, July 15, I inadvertently voted
``nay'' when I meant to vote ``aye'' on rollcall vote 303, the Lowey amendment
to H.R. 2490, the Fiscal Year 2000 (FY 00) Treasury-Postal Appropriations
Act.
- I support the provision in H.R. 2490 to require Federal Employee Health
Benefit Plans (FEHBP) which provide prescription plans to include coverage of
all FDA-approved contraceptive drugs and devices.
- I oppose the amendment offered by Congressman CHRIS SMITH to allow
health plans to opt out of providing contraceptive coverage by claiming a
``moral conviction.'' I was happy to see the passage of the Lowey substitute
amendment to strike this exemption for health plans.
- It is my hope the Lowey amendment will help reduce unwanted pregnancies
while providing women with contraceptive coverage. While the FY 00
Treasury-Postal Appropriations Act covers only women in the FEHBP, I believe
it is a positive step forward in ensuring contraceptive coverage is available
to women in a majority of health plans.
- As an original cosponsor of H.R. 2120, the Equity in Prescription and
Contraceptive Coverage Act, introduced by Representatives JIM GREENWOOD
and NITA LOWEY, I will continue to work to provide access to family
planning services.
END