NWLC Calls Abortion Compromise Unworkable and Unfair

Today, Senate Democratic leaders said they reached an agreement on the details of their legislation to reform the health care system.The following is a statement by Marcia D. Greenberger, Co-President of the National Women’s Law Center (NWLC):

“The Senate bill, while containing some major advances for women, falls short of what’s needed to truly protect women’s health.

“The bill’s improvements include expanding Medicaid coverage and ending insurance coverage exclusions for women who have suffered domestic violence or who have had Cesarean sections. But it fails to provide adequate subsidies for lower income women, and the 11th hour abortion compromise is simply unwise, unworkable and unfair.

“Its treatment of abortion coverage sets up arbitrary and burdensome hurdles to secure access to abortion care, such as the requirement that women must write two checks, one for all health insurance coverage except abortion and one for abortion coverage.

“While the manager's amendment marks an important step toward the historic passage of health care reform legislation, the final conference report must be strengthened. NWLC will not rest until health care reform finally works for women and their families.”

View Original Post at womenstake.org