House Health Care Throws Women's Rights Out the Window

Addie Davis
Nov. 27, 2009
10: 15 am
SOC 202


On November 7, ‘Pro-Chioce’ Democrats vote against reproductive rights and the House of Representatives passed the Stupak-Pitts amendment which contains language that effectively bars access to safe abortions for working-class women except in cases of rape, incest or to save the life of the mother. The amendment prohibits the use of any federal funds toward a health care plan that covers abortion. If Stupak-Pitts becomes part of a final health care bill signed into law, it will make access to safe abortions an exclusive privilege of the wealthier sectors of society. This represents a great attack on the gains of the women’s right movement and the historic 1973 Roe vs. Wade Supreme Court ruling. The health care reform debate and the passage of the Stupak-Pitts amendment makes it clear that the Democrats will promptly sell out women’s rights to push through their corporate health care reform.

History has shown that many women faced with an unwanted pregnancy will resort to life-threatening procedures if a safe, legal and affordable alternative is not available. Should this amendment be submitted in law, millions of poor and working women who have no coverage will be legally required to purchase health insurance that does not cover their needs and effectively prohibits their right to choose. I believe that the Stupak-Pitts amendment is an attack on the rights of women to control their own bodies, but it is also a massive assault on the poor and oppressed communities in the country. As a result, the working class has even less access to birth control, putting poor communities at greater risk for unwanted pregnancies and, in many cases, dangerous abortions.

http://www.pslweb.org/site/News2/368178325?page=NewsArticle&id=13279&news_iv_ctrl=1261