A Michigan congressman is putting abortion at the center of discussions over national health care reform, and some pro-choice voices in the state aren't happy about that. A last minute amendment sponsored by Michigan Democrat Bart Stupak, and included in the bill now before the US Senate, would prohibit coverage of abortions by private insurers receiving federal health care subsidies -- except in the cases of rape, or to save the mother's life. Mary Pollock, the Legislative Vice President for Michigan National Organization for Women, says that while the bill includes some important improvements for women's healthcare, the Stupak amendment hurts the middle class:
Pollock also scolded those who would let the healthcare bill fail over this issue:
The amendment would allow those with private insurance to purchase abortion coverage as a policy rider. Five states already ban coverage by private insurers, unless it is paid for separately as a rider to the policy...but Pollock says the additional coverage is rarely purchased because abortion is not something that most women plan for. National Organization for Women is spearheading a campaign to remove the Stupak amendment.
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