Pingree vows to vote "No" on health reform bill that includes Stupak-Pitts amendment

by: Gerald Weinand

Tue Nov 10, 2009 at 13:51:50 PM EST

The Honorable Nancy Pelosi
Speaker
U.S. House of Representatives
H-232 Capitol
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Madam Speaker:

As members of Congress we believe that women should have access to a full range of reproductive health care. Health care reform must not be misused as an opportunity to restrict women's access to reproductive health services.

The Stupak-Pitts amendment to H.R. 3962, The Affordable Healthcare for America Act, represents an unprecedented and unacceptable restriction on women's ability to access the full range of reproductive health services to which they are lawfully entitled. We will not vote for a conference report that contains language that restricts women's right to choose any further than current law.

This afternoon, Willy Ritch, Communications Director for Rep. Chellie Pingree, told me that Rep. Pingree intends to sign onto this letter upon her return to Washington.

While not unexpected, it is great to see Rep. Pingree out in front of this issue. That some would restrict a woman's access to a legal procedure simply because they may be of lesser means is unconscionable, and again Rep. Pingree demonstrates her unflagging support of the rights of all women to control their own bodies.

Thank you Chellie Pingree.

Mike Michaud voted against a poor woman's right to choose

by: Gerald Weinand

Sat Nov 07, 2009 at 22:45:50 PM EST

The Stupak amendment: It's worse than you think

by: Gerald Weinand

Sat Nov 07, 2009 at 16:20:37 PM EST

Bart Stupak's amendment limiting elective abortion coverage from both private and public insurers on the exchange. It reads:

The amendment will prohibit federal funds for abortion services in the public option. It also prohibits individuals who receive affordability credits from purchasing a plan that provides elective abortions. However, it allows individuals, both who receive affordability credits and who do not, to separately purchase with their own funds plans that cover elective abortions. It also clarifies that private plans may still offer elective abortions.

Because of the limits placed on the exchanges, most of the participants will have some form of premium credit or affordable subsidy. That means most will be ineligible for abortion coverage. The idea that people are going to go out and purchase separate "abortion plans" is both cruel and laughable. If this amendment passes, it will mean that virtually all women with insurance through the exchange who find themselves in the unwanted and unexpected position of needing to terminate a pregnancy will not have coverage for the procedure. Abortion coverage will not be outlawed in this country. It will simply be tiered, reserved for those rich enough to afford insurance themselves or lucky enough to receive from their employers.

The amendment is expected to pass with relative ease. Republicans will join with anti-choice Democrats to push it over the finish line. Once the amendment passes, the bill is cleared for a vote, and all parties expect that vote to succeed. Today looks likely to end with a historic, and important, vote. A vote that is a first step towards helping more than 30 million people secure health-care coverage, and making sure hundreds of millions are better protected from the vagaries of the insurance industry. But Stupak's amendment is a bitter start. It is, however, not the end. Even if it muscles into the House bill, it will also have to pass in the Senate, and then survive conference, before it becomes law.

Rep. Chellie Pingree will vote against it.

Will Rep. Mike Michaud? Call his office and tell him how to vote:

202.225.6306