Stupak Ban on Abortion Coverage
Once again, women were sacrificed to get the job done! On Saturday, November 7th the House of Representatives historically passed their verson of the health care reform bill.
Unfortunately it also included the Stupak-Pitts amendment (the Stupak Ban), which, if enacted, would prohibit any coverage of abortion services in the "exchange," or insurance marketplace that is to be established through health reform. The ban would apply to both the private health insurance plans and the public options sold in the exchange. Insurance companies that currenly provide coverage for abortion services, which is a majority, would not be permitted to offer coverage.
Thus women who have health insurance coverage for abortion currently, are at risk for losing that coverage if the Stupak Ban is in the final health care reform bill. Women would be left worse off after health care reform, losing coverage for comprehensive reproductive health services. This would be unacceptable!
You can read about the "real-life" impact of the Stupak Ban here.
Sign the petition and find out the latest on reproductive health care coverage in health care reform by visiting the Planned Parenthood Action Center.
To get involved locally, e-mail advocacy@ppbucks.org.
Planned Parenthood: Essential Community Provider of Primary and Preventatiev Care
There is no doubt that the United States is facing a health care crisis of historic proportions. Nearly 46 million Americans are uninsured and an additional 25 million have insurance but lack sufficient access to services. Ensuring access to health care is a long process, and Planned Parenthood will not rest until we come to a solution.
Many women, including many Planned Parenthood clients, rely on their reproductive health care provider as their primary source of health care. From cancer screenings to sexually-transmitted infections testing and treatment, Planned Parenthood is an essential comunity provider that millions of women count on. Any health care reform strategy should supprt community health care providers, like Planned Parenthood to ensure quality and continuity of care.
As an important health are provider and advocate, Planned Parenthood knows firsthand how critical expanding access to health insurance coverage is - any expansion must meet the needs of women and families, this includes comprehensive coverage of reproductive health services.
Please join Planned Parenthood of Bucks County as we raise awareness around this important issues. Contact Public Affairs about upcoming advocacy efforts.
