Politics with Marc Ambinder

« The Rundown, 11/10 | Main | Scozzafava Out Of GOP Conference...Plus: How Dems Won Her Endorsement »

Nov 10 2009, 6:30 am by Chris Good

Question Of The Day: Is Health Reform Worth It To Pro-Choicers?

If you were a pro-choice Democrat in the House of Representatives, would you vote for a health care reform bill that included language to prevent private health insurance participating in an exchange, and any insurance purchased with the help of government subsidies, from covering abortions?

:: Comments (8) :: Share This

Comments (8)

KarinJR

Reluctantly yes. I do think that the bill would wind up being a big step backward for availability of abortion services, however there are so many other dimensions of women's health that would be improved by the bill that it would seem hideously narrow-minded to oppose it on these grounds.


I've written about it more extensively here:


http://obamalondon.blogspot.com/2009/11/abortion-compromise.html


"... the pro-choice movement just faced in some its biggest setback for decades. And it’s something I’m going to reluctantly support."

SC

No, it isn't. Perhaps if the left hadn't compromised throughout the process, if this were a single payer bill, or had a robust public option, we could consider the abortion rider a compromise. But that's not the case, and with huge democratic majorities in both Houses, passing the most serious restrictions of reproductive rights in a generation is unacceptable.

Paul in Athens (Replying to: SC)

Whoa. No one is banning abortions outright.

I'm pro-choice, but along with that choice comes the responsibility to pay for it. Your choice, your cost. If that cost is covered by health insurance you buy with your money, then that's cool. However, if it's to be paid for with my money (ie: taxpayer funds) then I say no.

jb (Replying to: Paul in Athens)

Couldn't have said it any better!

kkjamess (Replying to: Paul in Athens)

What if many others and I do not want to pay for treatment for smokers, heavy drinkers, drug abusers, and overweight/obese people with poor diets? All are dubious personal decisions with consequences and health-care costs. All would be subsidized.

The point is that politicizing what care people should be able to receive is a major strike for larger, direct government involvement.

Nola Dawg (Replying to: kkjamess)

Absolutely agree. Democrats and proponents seem to forget that giving their party control of these types of decisions leaves the door open for the other party to have the same control. Very little foresight.

Buzz Feedback

I think cosmetic surgery for personal or vanity purposes is mutilation of healthy tissue. Let's exempt that from the exchange/subsidies, too.

coreilly (Replying to: Buzz Feedback)

I don't think it's all that common for plastic surgery - especially elective plastic surgery - to covered by insurance.