← Emergency Petition: Members of Congress must keep their promise to vote against any bill that restricts a woman's right to choose
Sign our EMERGENCY Petition:
"Members of Congress must keep their promise to vote against any bill that restricts a woman's right to choose, as the Senate bill does. Rep. DeGette and Rep. Slaughter should release the names on their letter and stand by their promise."
Diana Degette and Louise Slaughter wrote a letter signed by 41 pro-choice members of Congress, who stated quite clearly their position on the health care bill:
We will not vote for a conference report that contains language that restricts women’s right to choose any further than current law.
But Nancy Pelosi has said that the final bill will contain the abortion language passed by the Senate. Does that “restrict a woman’s right to choose any further than current law?” The answer is an unqualified "yes":
- The Senate language allows states to opt out of allowing plans to cover abortion in the insurance exchanges, a clear violation of Roe v. Wade
- It prohibits insurance companies by law from taking into account cost savings when estimating the costs of abortion care, which raises premiums, thus limiting access
- It includes “conscience clause” language that protects both individuals and entities that refuse to provide, pay for, provide coverage for, or refer for abortion.
Rep. DeGette and Rep. Slaughter won't release the names of the members of Congress who signed their letter. If they won't stand up and give their names now, how can we expect them to stand by their word when it comes time to vote?