Bill compromises women’s health care

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The United Methodist General Board of Church & Society (GBCS) both applauded and criticized the recent passage in the U.S. House of Representatives of the “Affordable Health Care for America Act” (H.R. 3962) during a press conference on Nov. 16.

According to Linda Bales Todd, director of GBCS’s Louise & Hugh Moore Population Project, the agency believes the bill will bring access to affordable health care to U.S. citizens currently without health insurance, but it also unfairly penalizes women in terms of their access to abortion services.

The bill codifies and expands restrictions on U.S. funding for abortions.

Todd was among religious leaders and First Amendment advocates who condemned the Stupak-Pitts Amendment to the legislation. The Stupak-Pitts Amendment passed will cause women who have insurance to lose benefits and will expand restrictions on coverage for abortion services, according to speakers representing Catholic, Protestant, Jewish and other faith groups.

The press conference was coordinated by the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, whose members include the Women’s Division of the General Board of Global Ministries and GBCS.

The bill codifies and expands restrictions on U.S. funding for abortions through the health care “Exchange” that would be created as a mechanism for reform. The speakers emphasized repeatedly that women must not lose access to abortion services they may need.

Varying views

“GBCS acknowledges the varying views on the issue of abortion and the emotional struggles faced by women in situations to consider this medical procedure,” Todd said. “The reality, however, is that abortion is legal in the United States, and the position of The United Methodist Church supports access to safe and legal abortion.”

The United Methodist Church recognizes tragic conflict of life with life that may justify abortion.

Todd pointed out that since 1973 the United Methodist General Conference, the denomination’s highest policy-making body, has stated in its Social Principles:

The United Methodist Church recognizes tragic conflict of life with life that may justify abortion, and in such cases we support the legal option of abortion under proper medical procedures. (¶ 161J, 2008 United Methodist Book of Discipline).

Other speakers expressing dismay at the Stupak-Pitts Amendment included Sammie Moshenberg, director of the Washington office of the National Council of Jewish Women; Jon O’Brien, president of Catholics for Choice; Sandra Sorensen, director of the Washington office of the United Church of Christ Justice & Witness Ministries; the Rev. Dr. Carlton Veazey, president and CEO of the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice; and the Rev. Barry Lynn, executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church & State.

Contact your U.S. Senators

The U.S. Senate is now considering action on its health-care proposals. Todd said GBCS urges them to pass legislation without restrictions such as those in H.R. 3962.

“Those who support access to all reproductive health services want health-care reform,” RCRC’s Veazey stated. “We feel keenly our moral responsibility to ensure the medical resources necessary for the health of all children, families and communities.”

As a person of faith,
I take the matter of abortion very seriously.

Veazey asserted that this cannot be accomplished without respect for the United States’ religious diversity. “We call on the Senate to ensure that health care reform is freed of religious ideology and restrictions,” he said, “that will prevent women from making their own reproductive health care choices.”

Todd and the Rev. Cynthia Abrams, director of GBCS’s Alcohol, Other Addictions & Health Care work area, have issued an “action alert” encouraging persons to contact their U.S. Senators to avoid a repetition of the House provisions being included in the Senate bill. They urge you to protect women's rights by asking your U.S. Senators to include reproductive health options in the legislation they are considering.

The “action alert” communication to your senator states:

As a person of faith, I take the matter of abortion very seriously. However, important personal decisions on reproductive health matters, including abortion, should be between women, their families, clergy and doctors and should not be legislated by Congress.

The alert is on the GBCS website.

An eCard is also on the site that enables you to urge others to take action on the alert as well. It is at Protect Women’s Rights.