H.R. 1465: Protecting Life in Foreign Assistance Act

This bill, titled the Protecting Life in Foreign Assistance Act, aims to restrict the availability of federal funds to certain organizations associated with abortion-related activities both in the United States and abroad. The primary provisions of the bill can be summarized as follows:

Restriction on Federal Funding

The bill prohibits federal funds from being made available for use outside the United States (including its territories and possessions) to:

• Foreign Organizations: This includes any foreign nonprofit organization, foreign nongovernmental organization, foreign multilateral organization, or foreign quasi-autonomous nongovernmental organization that:
  • Performs or promotes abortions, including providing referrals, counseling, lobbying, and training related to abortions;
  • Furnishes or develops any item intended to procure abortions;
  • Provides financial support to any entity that conducts abortion-related activities or supports an organization involved in abortions.
• Domestic Organizations: The bill also applies to domestic nonprofit organizations and domestic nongovernmental organizations that:
  • Perform abortions,
  • Furnish or develop any items intended to procure abortions,
  • Fail to maintain a complete separation from abortion-related activities within any federally funded program or activity;
  • Provide financial support to any entity involved in abortion-related activities.

Inclusions and Exceptions

The restrictions in the bill encompass the transfer of federal funds and goods financed with such funds. However, certain exceptions are made, allowing for federal funding to be used in cases of abortion resulting from:

• Rape or incest;
• When the life of the mother would be endangered if the fetus were carried to term.

Impact on Activities

By placing these restrictions on federal funding, the bill aims to limit the financial resources available to organizations involved in abortion services and related activities, both domestically and internationally. This could significantly affect organizations that provide comprehensive health services, particularly those focused on women's health, and could impact international aid programs that have included funding for reproductive health services.

Relevant Companies

1. UNH (UnitedHealth Group Inc.): As a major healthcare provider that may fund or be associated with international healthcare initiatives, changes in funding for abortion-related services could affect their operations and partnerships.
2. ANTM (Anthem Inc.): This health insurer could be impacted by restrictions on federal funding for health initiatives, especially if they encompass reproductive health services.
3. CVS (CVS Health Corporation): As a health services company that includes access to pharmacy services, changes to federal health funding may affect their service offerings in certain regions.