The medical benefits plan of the PC(USA) covers unrestricted abortion. It will pay for abortion for plan members and their families for any reason and at any time during pregnancy. The plan is mandatory for all installed pastors. The dues for the plan are paid by church members’ tithes and offerings to their local churches.

Repeatedly through the years, the General Assembly has been asked to restrict the abortion coverage of the plan. Representatives of the Board of Pensions, who provide the medical benefits plan, have said they will obey a directive on the matter given them by G.A., but they continue to lobby commissioners against any restriction on abortion coverage.

At the most recent G.A., Flint River Presbytery asked only that the Board of Pensions be directed to cease coverage of any procedure about which the G.A. has expressed its grave moral concern. In 1997, the G.A. used those words in response to partial birth abortion and said the procedure should be morally acceptable only if it is needed to save the physical life of the mother.

The Flint River overture included the exception for life of the mother. Nevertheless, the G.A. disapproved their overture.

"Relief of Conscience" does not affect the provision of abortion by the Presbyterian Church. It allows a session to choose to have a portion of the dues from its congregation diverted from abortion coverage into support for newly adopted infants.

For further information on "Relief of Conscience," contact the Board of Pensions or PPL. Churches can continue to bring overtures to General Assembly to cease or limit abortion coverage.