Late,
late, late on Saturday night (around midnight) Congresswomen Pingree and
Congressman Michaud both cast their votes in support of the Affordable
Healthcare for America Act. I watched a
news clip about Pingree’s triumphant return to Maine after casting her vote.
The progress on healthcare would be cause
for celebration, except that the bill as is has dire consequences for women’s
access to abortion.
In the late hours on Saturday, Representative Stupak (D
– MI) brought forth an amendment that bans any direct public funding for
abortion and prohibits private insurance companies that participate in the
exchange from covering abortions. You
can read a comprehensive explanation of the amendment here. The
Stupak-Pitts Amendment will also deny abortion coverage to women who already
have it and who pay for part of the cost of their private health insurance plan.
A lobbyist in our DC office explains the consequences of this amendment well in
an ACLU
press releases:
"Today’s vote in the House of Representatives in favor
of the Pitts-Stupak amendment to deny women access to abortion in health care
reform legislation is a direct attack on women's right to make private health
care decisions," said Vania Leveille, ACLU Legislative Counsel. "By prohibiting
individuals who receive federal subsidies from purchasing private insurance
plans that provide abortion care, even when they contribute to the cost with
their own funds, members of the House have grossly distorted the meaning of
health care reform."
Congressman Pingree voted against the
Stupak Amendment, and we appreciate her support of reproductive freedom. We're disappointed that Congressman Michaud supported the Stupak Amendment. The Senate now will consider its own
bill. Both bills will eventually end up in conference, where Senator Snowe will
be a key player. It’s important not to take any pro-choice vote for granted.
Call Senator Snowe and let her know you support a woman’s right to choose, and
ultimately, you hope she does too when she considers the healthcare bill in the
following months – (207) 874-0883.