Dear Friend,
We need you to act immediately to undo a disturbing decision from the
Obama administration. Remember all the hard work you and other ACLU
activists did to defeat Rep. Stupak's draconian abortion coverage ban
during the health care debate?
Well now, the White House has decided to voluntarily impose the ban
for all women in the newly-created high risk insurance pools. What is
disappointing is that there is nothing in the law that requires the
Obama administration to impose this broad and highly restrictive
abortion ban. It doesn't allow states to choose to cover abortion and
it doesn't even give women the option to buy abortion coverage using
their own money.
Ask
President Obama WHY his administration is restricting coverage for
vulnerable women.
Unless the Administration reverses this decision, some of America's
most vulnerable women-those with pre-existing conditions who have
been denied health care coverage on the individual market-won't be
able to purchase abortion coverage except in the case of rape or
incest or to save the pregnant woman's life.
You and I know that every woman should be able to decide what is best
for her health and her family. A pro-choice administration should know
that too.
It's especially discouraging to impose a ban on women participating in
a high-risk insurance pool who are particularly vulnerable and may
have a special need for abortion. For example, because of the
restriction, a woman with heart disease or diabetes might be compelled
to carry a pregnancy to term despite its potentially damaging effect
on her future health.
Ask
President Obama not to stand in the way of vulnerable women's health
care choices.
It's urgent that you send your message to President Obama right now.
When you do, we'll also forward a copy to Secretary of Health and
Human Services Kathleen Sebelius, whose department is putting this
unnecessary and harmful restriction into effect.
Thank you for acting on this urgent matter.
Sincerely,
Laura W. Murphy
Director, Washington Legislative Office