“Women lost and anti-choice extremism won today when the House of Representatives passed H.R. 358 in a vote that demonstrates a deep and disturbing disregard for the health and well-being of America’s women.

The misnamed and deeply callous “Protect Life Act” would allow hospitals to refuse to provide abortion care, even when a woman’s life is in danger. It is no exaggeration to say that this bill poses a callous and unnecessary threat to women’s lives.

This legislation is not about preventing federal funding for abortion services, which, unfortunately and unfairly, has not been permitted in decades. It is about eliminating access to abortion services for all women, regardless of how they obtain health insurance.

H.R. 358 would limit privately funded abortion, and expand restrictions on abortion coverage that are discriminatory and unfair. It also continues the House of Representatives’ relentless campaign against the Affordable Care Act by implementing restrictions on abortion coverage that were rejected during the health reform debate — and by opening the door for states to pass laws that undermine the new federal requirements for preventive health services, including no-copay coverage of birth control.

Extremists prevailed today in the House of Representatives, proving again that they are badly out-of-touch with the majority of Americans who want lawmakers to focus on economic recovery, jobs and promoting, rather than restricting, affordable, quality health care — not an extreme, anti-woman agenda. America’s women and families are counting on the Senate to reject this measure, and, if necessary, for President Obama to make good on his promise to veto it.”