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I write more letters
Nov. 17th, 2009 10:26 amTo my senators, Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell. I used NOW's email form to send this, and what I sent is similar to their suggested text, but I did customize the text before I hit submit. I may not get around to sending a printed copy of the letter, but I hope to follow up with a phone call.
I am writing to you today as a supporter of women's equality, reproductive rights and health care for all.
I am urging you to oppose any provision in health care reform that would limit inclusion of abortion coverage in insurance policies to be offered in the health insurance exchanges. The House-adopted Stupak-Pitts Amendment is a very harmful provision that will deny tens of millions of women insurance coverage for a legal and safe medical procedure. All women, whether they purchase insurance with their own funds or are receiving federal affordability credits, must have insurance coverage for abortion services.
Specifically, the amendment applies unreasonable barriers for private insurance companies that participate in the new system to offer abortion coverage to women. Insurance industry executives have already confirmed (in interviews with NPR health reporter Julie Rovner) that implementing separate plans or riders for people not participating in the exchange is unreasonable, impractical, and "not likely."
This would have the effect of denying women the right to use their own personal, private funds to purchase an insurance plan that includes abortion coverage in the new health system -- a radical departure from the status quo. Presently, more than 85 percent of private insurance plans cover abortion services.
President Barack Obama promised the public that no one would lose coverage they currently have. The Senate MUST honor that promise. Abortion rights have been a Democratic party plank for a long time. Please don't undermine that pro-choice commitment. Women's votes have been critical to getting democrats elected; please do not sell us out when we've supported you for so long.
Please vote against any further restrictions on access to reproductive health care. I will be watching your vote on this issue of critical importance to women.
I am writing to you today as a supporter of women's equality, reproductive rights and health care for all.
I am urging you to oppose any provision in health care reform that would limit inclusion of abortion coverage in insurance policies to be offered in the health insurance exchanges. The House-adopted Stupak-Pitts Amendment is a very harmful provision that will deny tens of millions of women insurance coverage for a legal and safe medical procedure. All women, whether they purchase insurance with their own funds or are receiving federal affordability credits, must have insurance coverage for abortion services.
Specifically, the amendment applies unreasonable barriers for private insurance companies that participate in the new system to offer abortion coverage to women. Insurance industry executives have already confirmed (in interviews with NPR health reporter Julie Rovner) that implementing separate plans or riders for people not participating in the exchange is unreasonable, impractical, and "not likely."
This would have the effect of denying women the right to use their own personal, private funds to purchase an insurance plan that includes abortion coverage in the new health system -- a radical departure from the status quo. Presently, more than 85 percent of private insurance plans cover abortion services.
President Barack Obama promised the public that no one would lose coverage they currently have. The Senate MUST honor that promise. Abortion rights have been a Democratic party plank for a long time. Please don't undermine that pro-choice commitment. Women's votes have been critical to getting democrats elected; please do not sell us out when we've supported you for so long.
Please vote against any further restrictions on access to reproductive health care. I will be watching your vote on this issue of critical importance to women.