Manager’s Amendment a Bitter Pill for Women, Doctors Say

New York, NY—Suzanne T. Poppema, MD, board chair of Physicians for Reproductive Choice and Health, issued the following statement today in response to new restrictions on abortion coverage in the Senate health reform bill.

“Today’s vote brings us one step closer to expanding health care for many Americans, but takes a giant step back for women. Despite a previous vote defeating an anti-abortion amendment, Senate leaders slipped a bitter pill into the final bill. Just like in the House bill, politicians are standing between women and the medical care they need. As physicians who provide reproductive care, we will not stand for this.

“Our patients’ health needs don’t stop at state borders. The anti-abortion language now included in the Senate bill will reinforce an already bad situation in many states. It will allow legislatures to block abortion coverage in insurance plans offered in their state, even if an abortion is warranted because of a fatal fetal anomaly. A woman whose baby will not live past birth should have the same options, whether she lives in New York or Nebraska. Now her ability to choose a safe, legal medical procedure may change with her zip code.

“While we are extremely disappointed with this blow to women’s health, we will continue working with our pro-choice allies to improve the language in the final health reform bill.”