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December 26, 19??

De ET Delawarean:

Since the Congress has again taken up the question of federal
funding for abortions, I thought you would be interested in a
summary of these recent actions.

As you probably already know, the Senate and the House of
Representatives finally agreed on language dealing with the problem
of aedicaid-covered abortions December 15. The 1977 fiscal year
appropriations bill prohibited the use of federal funds to pay for
abortions, the life of the nether is in danger." This
is the position which I have consistently supported-

During consideration of the 1978 fiscal year appropriation bill
for the Department of Health, Education and lelfare, the House again
passed this same language. The Senate, however, passed a broader
definition of the circumstances under which medicaid funds could be
used to pay for an abortion. 1 did not support this version.

The language that the Senate and House finally agreed to (after
five months of debate] will protect both the woman and her unborn
child. The agreeaent prohibits the use of any funds in the bill to
pay for abortions unless continued pregnancy would endanger the
mother's life, or in the opinion of two doctors, cause "severe and
long lasting physical health damage."

The bill, however, also provides funding for "medical procedures"
to victims of rape and incest if the offences haVe been 
reported to police or to a public health agency.

January 23 is the date of the 1978 "March for Life". Again,
arrangements have been nade for you to meet with your Congressional

representatives siniliar to last year. The ?eeting will be held
in room 1313 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building at 3:00 

Looking forward to having the opportunity of meeting with you
on the 23rd of January. .

Sincerel

57/