The Senate just voted to proceed with health care reform, now is the time to ensure abortion coverage is not banned in the new health care system. Real health care reform must be good for women. But some in Congress are trying to use reform to ban insurance coverage for abortion services, services that most insurance plans already cover today. The Stupak-Pitts amendment was passed with the House legislation and could end up in the final bill…unless we make our voices heard. We can stop this restriction on women's rights from becoming law.
WHAT IS THE STUPAK PITTS AMENDMENT?
- Under the Stupak-Pitts amendment, women would not be covered for abortions in the new health insurance market even if spending their own money to purchase coverage.
- Women who opt into the more affordable public option would be banned from getting coverage for abortion services, even if their own money was used to buy insurance.
- With Stupak-Pitts, it would be much harder—and perhaps impossible—for private insurance companies to offer abortion coverage for plans in the new health insurance exchange.
This amendment has dramatic impact on young women in particular - 50% of U.S. women obtaining abortions are younger than 25 and 12.4 million women of childbearing age (15-44) are uninsured.
Reproductive services should not be left out of health care reform. Women must be able to purchase private or public health insurance that offers comprehensive reproductive health care, including abortion care.
Take Action NOW:Your Senators have the power to block an amendment like Stupak-Pitts from ending up in the final legislation. Write Your Senator Below!
