Latest Target in Health Care Reform: Abortion Access
Published August 03, 2009 @ 07:29PM PT
Last week the The New York Times reported how Democrats defeated a Republican effort in a vote of 35 to 24 to eliminate the public health insurance option. On the good side, the pre-existing condition clause stayed intact and preventive care will now be covered with no co-pays or deductibles, which is a really big deal. However, in the effort to support a public plan, the Democrats forfeited something rather critical:
The Energy and Commerce Committee also voted to allow health plans to cover or not cover abortion, as they see fit, but stipulated that insurers must use money from private sources to pay for any abortions.
By a vote of 30 to 28, the committee approved an amendment setting forth abortion policy. The proposal, offered by Representative Lois Capps, Democrat of California, was supported by most Democrats and opposed by Republicans.
The amendment said abortion could not be included in the "essential benefits package" to be defined by the government. Further, it said insurers would not be required or forbidden to cover abortion. But, it says, in every part of the country, the government must ensure that there is at least one plan that covers abortion and at least one that does not.
Basically, the Democrats, once again used reproductive health as a political football in order to gain traction elsewhere. Remember the economic stimulus package? Oh yeah, they did it then too.
In it's current state, the bill is ready for full floor vote in the lower chamber when Congress returns from vacation. However, this "vote ready" version has weakened the public health care option by cutting about $100 billion over 10 years, much of it in subsidies for uninsured members of the middle class who would be eligible for the public plan. As stated above, it also excludes abortion services from the "essential" health benefits package as defined by the government. Under this amendment, subsidies used to help pay insurance premiums for low-income people could not be used for abortion services. This is by far worst blow. According to Universal Health Care blogger, Tim Foley, the word "abortion" was never mentioned in the original draft of the bill, but the language was inserted to specifically prohibit it. Gee, thanks, guys.
From a member of the Feminist Advisory Board for Obama on the subject:
"It's hard to know who to be angriest at; the Blue Dogs who brokered the new version, the Republicans who won't vote for any of it under any circumstance, or the Democrats who voted in favor of it."
I couldn't have said it better myself.
We need to tell our Congressmen and Senators that it is not acceptable to deny a public option for a women's choice. A public option should be available to fill the needs of both women and men - and that includes access to abortion.
Here's the voting breakdown:
Democrats who voted in favor of the bill: (31) - include the following Blue Dogs: Bart Gordon (D-TN Baron Hill (D-IN) Zach Space (D-OH) Mike Ross (D-AR)
Blue Dog Democrats who voted against the bill: (5) - including Jim Matheston (D-UT) Charlie Melancon (D-LA) Bart Stupak (D-MI) John Barrow (D-GA) Rick Boucher (D-VA)
Republicans who voted against the bill: (23)
Republicans who voted in favor of the bill: (0)
Below is a list of all the committee members and links to their contact information. Please see if one of your representatives is on this list and write them a letter to tell them how feel about women's reproductive rights and their public option being steamrolled out of the health care reform plan.
- Henry A. Waxman (D-CA) Chairman
- Rep. John Dingell (D-MI) Chair Emeritus
- Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX) Ranking Member
- Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-NY)
- Rep. Peter Welch (D-VT)
- Rep. Edward Whitfield (R-KY)
- Rep. Bart Stupak (D-MI)
- Rep. Bruce Braley (D-IA)
- Rep. Michael Burgess (R-TX)
- Rep. George Butterfield (D-NC)
- Rep. Stephen Buyer (R-IN)
- Rep. Lois Capps (D-CA)
- Rep. Kathy Castor (D-FL)
- Rep. Donna M.C. Christian-Christensen (D-VI)
- Rep. Nathan Deal (R-GA)
- Rep. Michael Doyle (D-PA)
- Rep. Eliot Engel (D-NY)
- Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-CA)
- Rep. Phil Gingrey (R-GA)
- Rep. Charles Gonzalez (D-TX)
- Rep. Bart Gordon (D-TN)
- Rep. Raymond Green (D-TX)
- Rep. Ralph Hall (R-TX)
- Rep. Jane Harman (D-CA)
- Rep. Baron Hill (D-IN)
- Rep. Jay Inslee (D-WA)
- Rep. Edward Markey (D-MA)
- Rep. Jim Matheson (D-UT)
- Rep. Doris Matsui (D-CA)
- Rep. Clifford Stearns (R-FL)
- Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO)
- Rep. George Radanovich (R-CA)
- Rep. Mike Rogers (R-MI)
- Rep. Gerald McNerney (D-CA)
- Rep. Charles Melancon (D-LA)
- Rep. Christopher Murphy (D-CT)
- Rep. Tim Murphy (R-PA)
- Rep. Suellen Myrick (R-NC)
- Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ)
- Rep. Joseph Pitts (R-PA)
- Rep. John Barrow (D-GA)
- Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN)
- Rep. John Shadegg (R-AZ)
- Rep. John Shimkus (R-IL)
- Rep. Zachary Space (D-OH)
- Rep. John Sullivan (R-OK)
- Rep. Betty Sutton (D-OH)
- Rep. Lee Terry (R-NE)
- Rep. Frederick Upton (R-MI)
- Rep. Greg Walden (R-OR)
- Rep. Mary Bono Mack (R-CA)
- Rep. Frederick Boucher (D-VA)
- Rep. Mike Ross (D-AR)
- Rep. Bobby Rush (D-IL)
- Rep. John Sarbanes (D-MD)
- Rep. Stephen Scalise (R-LA)
- Rep. Janice Schakowsky (D-IL)
- Rep. Roy Blunt (R-MO)
- Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI)
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Comments (29)
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Author
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Jen Nedeau is a social media consultant, progressive activist, feminist speaker and writer. She currently lives in New York City, where she works full-time as the Director of Digital Strategy at Air America Media. In August 2008, Nedeau was selected to be the Editor of the WomensRights.Change.Org where she facilitates daily discussion about the feminist movement. Additionally, Nedeau volunteers as the Chief Technology Officer for New Leaders Council, a non-profit that offers exclusive training for young leaders. You can follow her on Twitter @HumanFolly or learn more here: www.jennedeau.com.
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How ironic that women's rights includes killing a baby but animal rights makes it a felony to kick a dog. PETA wants to protect rats and bugs while pro choice people want more freedom to kill babies in full term who can breath on themselves. If an assailant kills a pregnant mother he is guilty of killing two persons. If a doctor kills it, it is not a person?
Too bad all the mothers of pro choice women didn't abort them years ago.
Posted by john jaklich on 08/04/2009 @ 11:33AM PT
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Frankly, your comment disgusts me. You speak against the terror of abortion and then support it when it comes to people you disagree with? Kidding or not, you sound too ill-tempered and hypocritical to take seriously.
You talk about killing babies as if pro-choicers are actually gunning for MORE abortions - I don't know of any pro-choicer who actually wants to see more abortions in the world. The issue is however extremely complicated and to take any kind of simple-minded view for or against, is naive.
Posted by Jesse Demonbreun on 08/06/2009 @ 01:26PM PT
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Jesse, apparently you have never heard of NOW or NARAL.
Posted by Whe Hell Freezes Over on 08/06/2009 @ 05:16PM PT
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Elaine, Lorraine, and John, thanks for your good work on this front. I would have been here helping out more, but I have been heavily engaged in battle over at the "global warming" front.
Posted by Whe Hell Freezes Over on 08/04/2009 @ 05:51PM PT
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We know that radical feminist Democrats have been pushing for taxpayer funding of abortions since the Supreme Court overstepped their Consitutional authority to legalize them.
And every proposal of evil is always couched in Newspeek (George Orwell's prediction that in order to first fool people in order to control them, the meaning of words has to change).
Killing the only truly innocent is termed "reproductive health". Killing a child isn't healthy for it.
But the forces of evil have completely destroyed the minds, hearts and souls of women who are indoctrinated and brainwashed from an early age that in order to be "empowered", you must be "free" to prostitute yourself willingly and when that prostitution creates a child, kill it if it encumbers your freedom.
But now that "choice", which gives only women the power to decide whether a child lives or dies (the man who is the second half of that impregnation as no rights whatsoever but that is not discrimination?) is to be extended to forcing everyone to pay for that choice.
That is truly discriminatory and an extension of the evil perpetrated by those who believe killing innocent human children somehow benefits civilization.
Posted by Elaine Biggerstaff on 08/04/2009 @ 11:31PM PT
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First off, I dare say that most women who have abortions are not indeed prostitutes - your language is too extreme. Lay off a bit if you actually want to enter into a conversation.
Second, in terms of the man's rights, as soon as there is some sci-fi Schwarzenegger-inspired medical break-through where men can carry babies to term, talk to me about men's rights (oh, also when men stop feeling so free to abandon pregnant women).
Posted by Jesse Demonbreun on 08/06/2009 @ 01:31PM PT
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Might I also point out, that if men did have the right to choose, my 10 year old wouldn't be alive today.
Posted by L.S. hope on 08/06/2009 @ 03:26PM PT
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L. S., if you made the choice for life, then I commend you, sincerely.
Posted by Whe Hell Freezes Over on 08/06/2009 @ 05:18PM PT
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When women have miscarriages and stillborn-births, people are quick to point out,"Oh, it was God's will," or, "Well, there was probably something wrong with the baby." When a women has irrefutable proof that there is something wrong with her fetus, and an abortion would seem much more humane vs. the quality of life the child will suffer, anti- abortion activist are quick to label these mothers "murderers."(Doesn't make much sense to me.)
You can call me,"a radical feminist Democrat," but let's not forget; when these children are born, many...many.. Conservatives complain about their tax dollars, having to pay the never ending medical bills it cost, to sustain the child's life.
"Killing the truly innocent/ reproductive health." Really? So, you can justify,"Gods will," but not the,"free will," he gave us?
Ms. Jen, we have beat this issue into the ground, more than once. It always ends in a stalemate; each side refusing to budge. That's okay with me, because I will never see it their way, nor them, mine. I will say this, "If I were Ted Bundy's mother, I would have wished I had an abortion." If this makes me evil, I'm evil then.
Posted by L.S. hope on 08/05/2009 @ 11:53AM PT
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L. S., I am hereby calling you a radical feminist Democrat. It the shoe fits, wear it.
Posted by Whe Hell Freezes Over on 08/05/2009 @ 12:04PM PT
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Warning: ignorant comment ahead...
I used to consider myself pro-choice, but I guess I never really knew why. After some consideration, I have discovered that abortion doesn't line up with my values/thoughts. I would, however, like to read an intelligent argument in favor of abortion, so I will know both sides of the issue. Thank you!
Posted by Lisa R on 08/05/2009 @ 07:30PM PT
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So, go find one then, and I'll stay here and fight for your freedoms that make it possible.
Posted by L.S. hope on 08/05/2009 @ 10:33PM PT
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Wow. And here I thought I was posting a respectful, curious comment. FYI: If people seem condescending or rude, it is absolutely acceptable to return that attitude... However, if they seem genuinely curious to learn more about an issue that you think is important, take that opportunity to educate them politely.
Posted by Lisa R on 08/06/2009 @ 07:29AM PT
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Well, I think I understand your request. I may be able to help a little, being pro-choice, not pro-abortion. First of all, there is no such thing as an abortion that is done full term. Women with medical issues either in themselves or in the fetus, are not encouraged to have the procedure after 4 or more months of gestation. At least, that's what I have always believed. Secondly, choice being as individual as,well, individuals . . . there is very little possibility that any two instances for making a choice either pro or con, will resemble each other. Lumping all women together under one argument is futile. On the other hand, it's very simple, really. Those that have a medical need for these services should have a reasonable and affordable option to obtain them. Those that are opposed to these services, won't have to worry about them because they won't be using them.
Posted by Lynda Williams on 08/06/2009 @ 12:08PM PT
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I don't really wish to contribute to this conversation, but I applaud you for asking questions. I encourage you to do your own research, try to go beyond the propoganda and make your own decision.
Regards, Danine
Posted by Danine Spencer on 08/07/2009 @ 05:15AM PT
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My message above is addressed to Lisa, in case that wasn't clear.
Lisa, I'd be happy to share my personal views on abortion, if that's what you're looking for but I try not to get into this debate if I don't have to.
Posted by Danine Spencer on 08/07/2009 @ 05:20AM PT
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Lynda, you are very misinformed. Abortion is not only legal all nine months, but performed up to the due date every single day. There is NEVER a medical need for an abortion. In the event that a mother has a life-threatening ailment the baby can be delivered and administered care. If the child doesn't survive that is unfortunate. But delivering the baby just to stab him/her in the cranium and suck the brain contents out so the mother can survive... NEVER appropriate. Whoo, what a relief that mother must feel to have survived.
And you're right, it is very simple. Murder is murder, end of story. And anyone who puts themselves above another, so much so that they actually murder them so they can continue to live as they wish, is a tragic excuse for a human being.
Posted by S W on 08/11/2009 @ 07:44AM PT
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L.S. I left this guy talking to himself on another post. That's probably the best plan of action. He's an Australian troll.
Posted by Oceania OZ on 08/07/2009 @ 05:04AM PT
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L. S., you are free to leave at any time. You actually sound like a fairly reasonable person, trying to make sense of a very contoversial and emotionally-charged subject.
Ishe is an Australian, I think (if he is of this world). I am very much an American. I think Ishe features himself a great philosopher, but most of his postings are barely coherent.
Most of my postings have been on the "global warming" hoax, about which I have very strong opinions, as well as a geology background. If being a "troll" means disagreeing with the prevailing notion on the blog, then so be it. I will wear the mantle proudly.
Posted by Whe Hell Freezes Over on 08/07/2009 @ 06:38AM PT
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Wear the mantle, the hat and the mask if you like. Unlike you, I have no need to be right.
Posted by Oceania OZ on 08/07/2009 @ 10:31AM PT
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Ishe, I'm happy that you are comfortable with the situation you are in.
Posted by Whe Hell Freezes Over on 08/07/2009 @ 11:35AM PT
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I've been wondering for years how it became the government's right or anyone else's right to decide what a woman can do with her own body? It really is no one else's business, and should be no one else's choice as to what she does. So who died and appointed anti-choicers to act like Gods? They don't have that right.
Posted by Barbara Kantola on 08/09/2009 @ 12:34PM PT
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150 years ago in this country slavery was a "choice." So who died and appointed the meddling abolitionists and Abe Lincoln to act like Gods? Did they have that right? After all, the slaves were private property, even guaranteed by the Constitution.
Posted by Whe Hell Freezes Over on 08/09/2009 @ 12:45PM PT
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For money.
Posted by Barbara Kantola on 08/09/2009 @ 02:52PM PT
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Huh? What for money?
Posted by Whe Hell Freezes Over on 08/09/2009 @ 04:38PM PT
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Slavery was not a choice for the slaves. They were owned and were property of Southern Plantation Owners. They made the landowners rich because they were not paid for their hard work all day. Can you understand it now?
Posted by Barbara Kantola on 08/09/2009 @ 04:57PM PT
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Oh, I get it, and abortion is a choice for the fetus, or the "mass of non-viable tissue," as it were.
Posted by Whe Hell Freezes Over on 08/09/2009 @ 06:33PM PT
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The choice belongs to the woman, it's her body; and is no one else's business.
Posted by Barbara Kantola on 08/10/2009 @ 07:41AM PT
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Well, I guess that's the final word.
Posted by Whe Hell Freezes Over on 08/10/2009 @ 10:31PM PT
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