Health care reform may be one of the most important pieces of legislation debated in recent years. Forty-six million Americans lack health insurance. But rather than focus on the critical issues -- like how can we make sure every American has high quality affordable health insurance -- anti-abortion legislators are co-opting the debate and trying to hang the fate of reform on their ideology.
Most American women with private, employer-based insurance currently have abortion coverage. The
Nelson-Hatch amendment, like the Stupak-Pitts amendment in the House, would prohibit any private health insurance policy that participates in the newly formed health exchanges from covering abortions. Millions of women could lose coverage that they currently have through private insurers.
Don't be fooled -- this debate isn't only about abortion. It's about attacking health care reform by any means necessary, and in this case, on the backs of women.
Tell your senators to vote NO on the Nelson amendment! This vote could happen today or tomorrow -- please sign and send to your friends now!Dear Senator --
I am writing today to urge you to vote no on the Nelson-Hatch Amendment, which would effectively ban abortion coverage through private insurance companies. This dangerous amendment would prohibit any insurer that participates in the newly created insurance exchange from covering abortion -- even if women are purchasing these policies with their own money.
[YOUR COMMENTS HERE]
This amendment is not only an attempt to further erode a women's right to choose a safe and legal abortion. It is also an attempt to undermine health care reform by co-opting the debate and placing contentious and ideological restrictions on this critical legislation.
Please say no to the Nelson-Hatch amendment, and insist that the U.S. Senate stay focused on the real issues -- providing all Americans with high quality, affordable health insurance.
