November 5, 2009MEMORANDUMTo: Congressional staff From: Richard Doerflinger Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities U.S. Conference of Catholic BishopsRe: The Ellsworth amendment to H.R. 3962 on abortion: Initial observationsThe House leadership is asking members for reactions to new abortion language proposed by Rep. Brad Ellsworth (D-IN) for H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act. The Ellsworth amendment (henceforth “the amendment”) is said to be a “compromise” addressing pro-life concerns raised against the current bill. However, on examination it is not a meaningful compromise. It addresses none of the substantial criticisms offered by the Catholic bishops’ conference and other pro-life...