Pro-Choice Voices Take On Stupak Over Abortion Amendment
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November 11, 2009
LANSING, Mich. - A Michigan Congressman has placed abortion at the center of discussions over national health care reform, and some pro-choice proponents in the state are fighting back. A last-minute amendment sponsored by Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mich.) is part of the bill now being considered in the U.S. Senate.
The amendment would prohibit coverage of abortion expenses by private insurers that receive federal health care subsidies, except in cases of rape, incest or to save the life of the mother.
As legislative vice-president for the Michigan National Organization for Women (NOW) chapter, Mary Pollock says the Senate bill includes some important potential improvements to women's health care -- but in her view, the Stupak amendment hurts the middle class.
"Many of those middle-class people currently have insurance that covers abortions should people need it; that would change with the Stupak amendment. It would have the effect of changing the private health insurance market."
The amendment would allow those with private insurance to purchase specific abortion coverage as a policy rider. Five states already ban coverage by private insurers unless it is paid for separately as a rider to the policy. Pollock points out that the additional coverage is rarely purchased, because abortion is not something most women plan for.
Stupak, a Catholic who represents Michigan's First District, says the amendment mirrors an existing federal policy that prohibits the use of certain federal funding for abortion. Pollock calls the argument in support of the amendment unreasonable.
"They're risking the lives of tens of thousands of people in this country, who are dying for the lack of health care insurance. They've said, 'We will vote against this health care insurance if it covers abortion at all.' Now, how 'pro-life' is that?"
Pollock says statistics show one in three women have abortions, and that NOW is spearheading a campaign to remove the Stupak amendment.