ABORTION RIGHTS: SOPHIE’S CHOICE FOR PROCHOICE WOMEN IN HEALTHCARE REFORM?

ABORTION RIGHTS: SOPHIE’S CHOICE FOR PROCHOICE WOMEN IN HEALTHCARE REFORM?

 The House of Representatives passed its healthcare reform bill on November 7, including an amendment proposed by Representative Bart Stupak (D) Michigan and Rep. Joe Pitts (R) Pennsylvania excluding any coverage for abortion in the government run plan or in government subsidized access to insurance. Instead, women would be required to purchase separate coverage for abortion. The other side of the equation is that the bill removes a number of “gender rating” inequities and certain preexisting condition exclusions such as prior C-Sections or experience with domestic violence. The bill will also provide basic coverage for a much larger number of women.

 

The interesting fact is that the amendment was supported by most Republicans and 64 Democrats, while only one Republican actually voted for the bill. The antiabortion provisions are likely to come under heavy attack in conference committee, assuming that the Senate passes its own bill. The Obama administration is opposed to the anti-abortion provision and will likely oppose it in the Senate and in the Conference Committee proceedings.

 How big an impact will the inclusion or exclusion of the provisions ultimately have is difficult to assess.  Much of it seems largely symbolic. Historically, women have only billed about 13 % of abortions to their insurance companies.  This may be a function a lack of knowledge about coverage.  The concern over confidentiality is probably a bigger impediment. More to come in the juggling of wedge social issues in the health care reform effort and potentially difficult decisions for women to support a half a loaf in the give and take of political deal making.