Nov 23rd, 2009
Posted by Michael W. Macleod-Ball, Washington Legislative Office at 12:51pm	Abortion

Rally the Grassroots to Stop Stupak

Well, the battle is now joined. With the addition of the Stupak Amendment to the House's health care reform bill, we are reminded once again that the fight to preserve women's reproductive rights remains literally a constant struggle. Now the nation's attention turns to the Senate, where there will be votes in the coming weeks on whether or not the health care reform bill will substantially narrow women's reproductive health choices for the first time since the adoption of the Hyde Amendment that barred federal funding for abortions except in the case of rape, incest, or when the life of the mother is at risk. The Stupak Amendment, in fact, takes that next limiting step by extending the Hyde restrictions to millions more women.

The House health care reform bill creates an exchange — a roster of health insurance plans available to those individuals who are entitled to receive federal subsidies to help them afford such coverage. The exchange will also be open to those who receive no federal subsidies — though it is expected that at the outset 85 percent will receive some subsidy and 15 percent will be purchasing without public dollars. Rep. Stupak's amendment, however, bars the use of any federal subsidies to purchase any plan that includes coverage for abortion services. Moreover, there are limitations on the plans a company can offer on the exchange. Accordingly, insurance companies — being profit-oriented - are more likely to compete for the 85 percent of that pool of participants than the 15 percent. And that means that abortion coverage will effectively be denied to that 15 percent of exchange participants — thousands of women — who would be using their own money to purchase health coverage. And, of course, there is the absolute bar to abortion coverage to the 85 percent who will receive a federal subsidy — no matter how small the subsidy. And over time, the exchange will become available to larger businesses (with up to and perhaps over 100 employees), thereby extending the reach of this abortion coverage ban.

On Wednesday, November 18, hundreds of leaders of the reproductive rights movement from across the country came to Capitol Hill on very short notice to speak to senators who will be voting on these issues in the coming weeks. The leaders included heads of faith organizations, civil liberties groups, as well as women's rights and reproductive rights groups. We heard from the current generation of leaders — people like Cecile Richards of Planned Parenthood — and from some of the giants of the movement who remain just as active today as they were years ago including Eleanor Smeal and Kate Michelman. In addition, strongly supportive Senators gave us insights into the likely legislative strategy. Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) was encouraged that the overwhelming majority of Democrats were on board and that there might be a good shot at getting some Republican support. She focused on the notion that the basic premise of health care reform should be an expansion of coverage — and that under Stupak, one segment of the population — women — will be singled out to lose coverage. Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) urged the issue leaders to focus their attention on activism in their home states. She, too, argued eloquently that the reproductive rights movement must not take one step back. Sen. Christopher Dodd (D-Conn.) is a likely member of the conference committee who will resolve any differences between the House bill and the bill that comes out of the Senate and therefore will be a key voice in determining the shape of the final law. He urged activists to focus on the home districts of their elected representatives — getting to meetings, writing to local papers, calling radio stations. We also heard compelling presentations from Sens. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), two more stalwarts in the fight to preserve reproductive choice. Sen. Murray, in particular, said that education is key: people across the country and their representatives have to be educated about why the preservation of health care options is so important.

Groups will be organizing activities in states across the country in the next several weeks. It's absolutely critical that you make sure your voice is heard. There are lots of ways to do that. Write to your senators and representative. Call a local radio show. Send a letter or email to your local newspaper. When you see misinformation, don't let it slide — correct it. If we do the best job possible at the local level, the Senate and the House will get the message — and the majority who believe in reproductive health care for women will prevail. To start, go to our Action Center and tell your elected officials to STOP STUPAK!

Permalink |	Abortion

1. Interested. Says:
   Nov 23rd, 2009 at 1:59pm

   I have a right to speak, sing, advertise, display, choose, see, attain, ignore, tuneout, reblast, show, etc. as long as I don't harm the other. It is a matter of interpretation.

   It is CIVIL LIBERTIES, and I am for total LIBERTY, LIBERTIES and FREEDOM.

   I have a right to listen, pay attention, and to ignore others displays and presentation.

   RIGHTS FOR ALL.

   You don't like my tree, ad, or parade, move on, ignore and display yours.

   I am interested.

   MERRY CHRISTMAS TO MY MEMBERS OF ACLU

2. Anonymous Says:
   Nov 23rd, 2009 at 2:10pm

   I hope you plan on investigating the Obama administration for crimes against America!
   You, the ALCU, and the Leftist agendinzing present government are what ails America.

3. Anonymous Says:
   Nov 23rd, 2009 at 5:04pm

   What makes the ACLU think that my money should support a woman's abortion or her 3rd,4th or 5th abortion? Abortion is not a health issue, you can be pregnant and be healthy. You can have your right to an abortion, give me my right not to have to pay for it.

4. Anonymous Says:
   Nov 23rd, 2009 at 5:12pm

   Teach them about birth control. Abortion is murder. I should not have to pay for something that is against my personal faith. Abortion is not a health issue. The ACLU is a virus in America.

5. Anonymous Says:
   Nov 23rd, 2009 at 6:32pm

   Merry Christmas to everyone at ACLU.

6. Jeff Says:
   Nov 23rd, 2009 at 7:17pm

   Dear Person,

   While, in general, I support abortions rights, I feel that it's MUCH MORE IMPORTANT to pass health care reform with or without abortion health care.

   Health care reform is such an important piece of legislation.

   Please, please don't push too hard in getting abortion health care included in the health care package. If you do, it may have a terrible impact on getting any reasonable health care reform for decades.

   And that would be a tragedy in my opinion.

   Thank you for your consideration.

   in Peace...Jeff

7. Anonymous Says:
   Nov 23rd, 2009 at 9:04pm

   Agreed with Jeff. The opportunity for universal health care trumps the possible inconvenience of women who want the government to subsidize their abortions.

   And I'm confused by the "Merry Christmas to the ACLU" posts. The ACLU doesn't want or try to take away anyone's right to say "Merry Christmas".

   Merry Christmas to you too, I guess. A month early but why the heck not.

8. roald Says:
   Nov 23rd, 2009 at 10:36pm

   Anon #4. My personal faith also says not to kill, yet I am forced to pay taxes to for the military to kill real, innocent people.

   Teaching birth control was outlawed by the conservatives so we have a generation of ignorant children. In any case, birth control is not perfect.

9. civil-liberties-lady Says:
   Nov 24th, 2009 at 1:34pm

   Good grief. I wish people would educate themselves about what this health care bill says. As i understand it, the original language said NO PUBLIC FUNDING FOR ABORTION. So this fight against Stupak-Pitts is NOT about asking anyone to pay for anyone's abortion. Your money won't subsidize anyone's abortion.

   It's about LETTING A WOMAN USE HER OWN MONEY TO PAY FOR HER ABORTION. It's about letting women keep the abortion coverage they already have. Feelings, opinions, and rhetoric are fine but start with the facts.

   And Merry Christman and Happy Hanukkah to you too!! I love the ACLU and I also happily celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Yes, Virginia, the two can co-exist.

10. Anonymous Says:
    Nov 24th, 2009 at 2:22pm

    the stupak amendment should stay to make sure that the unborn child's rights are protected.

11. Anonymous Says:
    Nov 25th, 2009 at 12:34pm

    I agree that the Stupak amendment should stay to make sure the unborn child's rights are protected. Once the woman "chooses" to have unprotected sex, she gives up the "right" to kill the unwanted child. My comment is not directed toward the rape or the incest cases, nor the danger of the mother's life. And I say "Merry Christmas" to you all, to promote the greeting, not to antagonize.

12. Paen Says:
    Nov 26th, 2009 at 2:24pm

    Anonymous will you still claim that abortion is not a health issue if your own daughter dies from a back alley abortion?

13. Anonymous Says:
    Nov 29th, 2009 at 4:07pm

    Abortion is murder.

    No one wants to pay to have a baby murdered by having its brains pulled out of it's tiny skull!

    If ACLU protects so much, why not protect the most vulnerable human beings on the face of the earth, the un-born in their nurseries.

    If you do not believe life begins at conception, ask a young teen ager why he buys condoms!

    To prevent "life" right?

    Right!

    Protect all or protect none!

    Stupak is an "Angel" for these poor, unprotected human beings. God Bless him and everyone fighting the "Murder of the Innocence" ie "abortion"!

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