Women, Not Men, Will Pay The Price In Health Care Bill Re Abortion

The abortion issue continues to be a sticking point in the health care bill, with anti-choicers complaining it doesn’t restrict women enough, and pro-choicers pointing out that women’s legal rights are being compromised.

Critics included Douglas Johnson, legislative director for the National Right to Life Committee, who said the compromise is “light years removed” from the restrictions in the House bill and creates a series of new problems. Johnson warned that the new Senate language would not pass in the House, where anti-abortion Democrats control a crucial bloc of votes.

On the other side of the divide, Nancy Keenan, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America, called the deal “unacceptable” and said it was “outrageous” that senators would accept it. It would create too many hurdles for women seeking coverage of a legal medical procedure, she complained.

The Hyde Amendment already prevents federal fund from being used for abortions, but that doesn’t go far enough for the anti-choicers.  Congress wants women to pay separately for abortion coverage, and that presents a barrier for women not applicable to men.

It is inexplicable that a bill seeking to expand health coverage for Americans would impose such great administrative burdens on women who purchase abortion coverage and plans that offer it,” she said.

By: Alan

Alan Colmes is the publisher of Liberaland.