FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 15, 2010
Statement on Obama Administration Policy Excluding Abortion Coverage from High-Risk PoolsWashington, D.C. – Nancy Keenan, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America, called the Obama administration's decision today to exclude abortion coverage from newly created high-risk pools wrongheaded and inexplicable.
"Abortion is the most common surgical procedure women receive," Keenan said. "At a time when the country is on the cusp of implementing nationwide health-insurance coverage, it is unacceptable to treat abortion care differently in the new high-risk pools. This policy means that women who are part of these pools because they have significant health problems, such as diabetes or cancer, will not be able to access abortion care, even if their health is at further risk. This decision puts in place a three-year restriction that is similar to the proposal from Rep. Bart Stupak that was rejected during the legislative debate on health reform."
The policy, while not yet public, reportedly bans abortion services in a newly created program for individuals with pre-existing conditions or other high-risk medical needs (with the exceptions of life, rape, and incest). The high-risk pools are designed to be a transitional program as the federal government works to create the health-insurance exchanges set to take effect in 2014.
link Planned Parenthood statement:
Planned Parenthood Federation of America President Cecile Richards' Statement on Abortion Ban in New High-Risk Insurance Pools *
“Based on the Obama administration’s statement, we are deeply disappointed that the administration has voluntarily and unnecessarily decided to impose limits on private funds used to purchase health insurance coverage for abortion care in the new high-risk insurance pools. These pools are being established for Americans who cannot currently purchase private insurance because of pre-existing conditions such as breast cancer, AIDS, and heart disease. These pools are designed to offer health insurance coverage to individuals with high-risk conditions until 2014, when state-based health insurance exchanges are established under the Affordable Care Act.
“The very women who need to purchase private health insurance in the new high-risk pools are likely to be more vulnerable to medically complicated pregnancies. It is truly harmful to these women that the administration may impose limits on how they use their own private dollars, limiting their health care options at a time when they need them most. This decision has no basis in the law and flies in the face of the intent of the high-risk pools that were meant to meet the medical needs of some of the most vulnerable women in this country."
###Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leading sexual and reproductive health care provider and advocate. We believe that everyone has the right to choose when or whether to have a child, and that every child should be wanted and loved. Planned Parenthood affiliates operate more than 840 health centers nationwide, providing medical services and sexuality education for millions of women, men, and teenagers each year. We also work with allies worldwide to ensure that all women and men have the right and the means to meet their sexual and reproductive health care needs.
link The ACLU response:
July 15, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Obama Administration Will Ban Abortion Coverage In High Risk Insurance Pools WASHINGTON – The Obama administration announced today that it intends to exclude abortion coverage from the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plans, or high-risk insurance pools, created by the recently enacted Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Even using their own private funds, individuals would not be able to buy policies that cover abortion in these pools. The only exemptions would reportedly be for women who have been raped, who are the victims of incest or who will likely die if they carry the pregnancy to term.
The high-risk pools were created as a temporary program until the government can fully implement the Affordable Care Act and are made up of those who cannot purchase private insurance due to pre-existing health conditions, including cancer and heart disease. Women participating in high-risk insurance pools are especially vulnerable and may have a special need for abortion coverage. For example, under the ban a woman with heart disease or diabetes might be compelled to carry a pregnancy to term despite its potentially damaging effect on her future health.
The following can be attributed to Laura W. Murphy, Director of the ACLU Washington Legislative Office: "Everyone’s circumstances and health care needs are different. And every woman should be able to decide what is best for her health and her family. By unnecessarily singling out abortion in the high-risk pools, the Obama administration is creating a needless barrier to comprehensive health care for the women who need it most. Health care reform should improve women's health and lives, not interfere with women’s decisions about the health care they need."
link But wait! There's more!
Health Care Reform and Women: Birth Control 0, Sex Discrimination 1by Erin Matson, NOW Action Vice President
Today the Obama administration announced new guidelines under the Affordable Care Act for preventive care, which will require insurers to cover a wide range of preventive services without charging co-pays or deductibles. Sounds good and makes sense, but a review of the list of what's covered reveals a
conspicuous omission: contraceptive coverage.
At any given time, 70 percent of women between the ages of 15 and 44 are sexually active and do not want to become pregnant. Of that group, 98 percent, or virtually all, have used a form of contraceptive. This widespread need and use of contraceptives indicates that they comprise one of the most popular types of preventive care for women in this country.
Curiously, the omission of contraceptive coverage also flies in the face of the government's own data on the return on investment shown within the longstanding Medicaid program. Of women who use Medicaid, every dollar that has been spent helping them avoid unwanted pregnancies has saved $3.74 on medical expenses that would have been needed. (Many thanks to the Guttmacher Institute for these statistics.)
<snip>
Somewhat paradoxically, the preventive care guidelines do require insurers to provide free folic acid supplements to women who "may become pregnant." Words matter -- this is preventive care for women who "may become," not necessarily "are trying to become" pregnant. It is an acknowledgement that an ability to become pregnant also comes with potential consequences for health, in other words, that a potential to become pregnant justifies preventive care. That's what contraceptive coverage is.
more from NOW at link But, please, whatever you do, do not say that this administration is banning abortion. Those who need an abortion can still get one - if they can pay for it. See? It's just like our "best health care in the world" - it's "the best," if you can afford it. Make sense?
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