Contact: Kristin Hansen, Care Net press office, 703-554-8742

LANSDOWNE, Va., March 22 /Christian Newswire/ -- Care Net, a network of 1,190 pregnancy centers in North America, issued the following statement by Care Net President Melinda Delahoyde in response to the final passage of the health care reform bill:

"Care Net is extremely concerned about taxpayer-funded abortion in the healthcare reform bill and what it means for our nation's pregnancy centers. Not only does the bill make the work of pregnancy centers more difficult, it also makes our work more critical than ever before.

"Specifically, the Executive Order to be issued by President Obama does not adequately address the following pro-life concerns of pregnancy centers. In addition, federal courts will enforce what the law says, not the executive order, which can be overturned at any moment without a vote.

1. "Research has shown that if abortions are covered in a public healthcare plan, they will increase. According to Planned Parenthood's Guttmacher Institute, abortion will significantly increase among Medicaid recipients if covered by public funding. Care Net's own research indicates that the marketing of 'free services' at pregnancy centers is a draw to abortion-vulnerable women. So if abortion is covered in healthcare plans, how can we continue to attract this at-risk population with our free services?

2. "This bill provides no adequate provision for the rights of conscience of pro-life healthcare professionals. When these rights are trumped, pro-life individuals will leave or simply not enter the field of medicine. So, where will pregnancy centers find like-minded doctors and nurses to provide free ultrasounds, prenatal care, or STD testing? They simply won't exist.

3. "Care Net also anticipates that if abortions increase because they're free and federally-subsidized in healthcare plans, there will be a huge increase in the demand for post-abortion recovery programs, which are offered in pregnancy centers. Our movement will have to greatly expand our services in this area."

Delahoyde continued, "While Congress and the President have supported a bill that allows for the expansion of abortion, the good news is that incredible support for abortion alternatives exists through our nation's 2,300 pregnancy centers. In addition, Americans are increasingly pro-life and opposed to taxpayer funding of abortion. In other words, the vote on the healthcare reform bill does not reflect the hearts and minds of the majority of Americans on abortion."

For more information or interviews, contact the Care Net press office.