Stupak Amendment Debate Begins

Rep. Bart Stupak

Here it is. There will be 20 minutes of debate on the Stupak Amendment, and then, I assume, a vote. I’ll be updating.

…I just want to mention that Kathy Dahlkemper last night said that the exchanges should not offer abortion coverage because SCHIP doesn’t.

Yeah, that’s because it covers children.

Stupak says that companies could offer supplemental abortion coverage. Health insurance companies can offer policies in the exchange that cover abortion, they just can’t give that policy to people seeking affordability credits.

Diana DeGette is getting after it: “This would be the greatest restriction on the right to choose in all of our careers.”

DeGette takes down the supplemental insurance idea: “This is offensive to women… should people be subject to supplemental insurance for cancer treatment just in case they get cancer?” She gets applause at the end of her statement.

Joe Pitts, a Republican, is joining Stupak in controlling that side of the debate. He’s speaking now. “Every dollar in the public option is a federal dollar.” Bullshit. The public option is self-sustaining and paid for by premiums. This is radical rhetoric to say such a thing. Because women may drive to an abortion clinic on roads paid for by public highway funds, is that too illegal under the Stupak/Pitts logic?

Rosa DeLauro is speaking against the amendment.

Kathy Dahlkemper is up. She’s voting for the amendment. “Our amendment does not change current law regarding abortion.” It just keeps it as a practice for the wealthy, that’s all.

Lois Capps is speaking against the amendment. She created the language in the underlying bill that was the compromise. Says the amendment “restricts a women’s access to a legal medical procedure.” This would be the only language in the entire legislation that restricts a medical procedure and rations care.

Mike Pence: “I rise in support of this amendment but it will not change my opposition to the Pelosi health care bill.” Thanks, Bart Stupak!

Nita Lowey: “This is a disappointing distraction to the bill before us [...] This amendment threatens the right and health of women to access a legal procedure paid for by their own premium funds.”

Related posts:

1. GWU Study: Yes, The Stupak Amendment Would End Coverage of Abortion Services Over Time
2. 64 Democrats Voted To Put A Bureaucrat Between You, Your Insurance Provider, And Your Doctor On The Issue Of Abortion
3. Stupak Amendment Could Likely Be Used by Insurance Companies to Discriminate Against Low Income Americans
4. Yes, the Stupak Amendment Would End Insurance Coverage of Abortion Over Time
5. Stupak Amendment Would Reach Well Beyond Public Plan, Insurance Marketplace