Just before passing what they have mislabeled a “historic step” towards solving the health care crisis, House Democrats crossed their fingers behind their backs as they threw a woman’s right to choose to the wolves.
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On Nov. 7, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 3962, its version of the health care reform bill that has been the subject of intense debate in the media and on Capitol Hill. In addition, by a vote of 240-194, the house passed the Stupak-Pitts amendment which contains language that effectively bars access to safe abortions for working-class women except in cases of rape, incest or to save the life of the mother.
The amendment, sponsored by Democrat Bart Stupak and Republican Joe Pitts, prohibits the use of any federal funds toward a health care plan that covers abortion. In a symbolic nod to pro-choice constituents, it unrealistically allows insurance companies to offer costly supplemental insurance to cover abortion that can be purchased separately by individuals.
If Stupak-Pitts becomes part of a final health care bill signed into law, it will make access to safe abortions an exclusive privilege of the wealthier sectors of society—those who are not suffering from the health care crisis as it is. It represents a great attack on the gains of the women’s right movement and the historic 1973 Roe v. Wade Supreme Court ruling.
In a most opportunistic move, 25 firmly pro-choice Democrats, including Nancy Pelosi, voted for the amendment. All 240 representatives from both sides of the aisle who voted for this bill do not care about the lives of working-class people in this country, particularly women.
Putting lives of working-class women at risk
History has shown that many women faced with an unwanted pregnancy will resort to life-threatening, back-alley procedures when a safe, legal and affordable alternative is not provided.
According to the National Organization for Women, “the annual number of illegal abortions in the 1950s and 60s [is estimated to] range from 200,000 to 1.2 million, even though abortion procedures were unsafe and often life-threatening, in addition to being illegal.” Each year during the same period it is estimated that “160 to 260 women died from illegal abortions, while thousands more were seriously injured.”
Should this amendment become codified in law, millions of poor and working women who have no coverage will be legally required to purchase health insurance that does not cover their needs and effectively prohibits their right to choose. This is a far cry from the comprehensive and universal health care that is truly needed to solve the profound health crisis in this country.
The poor and oppressed people who cannot afford coverage are the same people who will be forced to purchase mandatory insurance required by the the bills under consideration. People who are currently have insurance paid by their employer will be able to keep the coverage they already have.
Not only is the Stupak-Pitts amendment an open attack on the rights of women to control their own bodies, but it is also a massive assault on the poor and oppressed communities in the country. The wealthy congressional representatives and their families will not suffer the consequences of this decision.
The current economic crisis has led to extensive cuts in social services provided by federal, state and local governments. As a result, the working class has even less access to birth control, putting poor communities at greater risk for unwanted pregnancies. They are the ones who will suffer the consequences of an increase in unwanted pregnancies and, in many cases, dangerous abortions.
The health care reform debate and the passage of the Stupak-Pitts amendment makes it clear that the Democrats will promptly sell out women’s rights to push through their corporate health care reform.
The Democratic Party made many promises of change in the 2006 and 2008 elections, but a promise without action is an empty one. The honeymoon is over. It has been almost a year since Barack Obama took office, almost four years since the Democrats took control of Congress. The only real change we have seen in regards to health care is the attempted evisceration of women’s rights and the continued protection of huge profits for the insurance and pharmaceutical companies.
The economic crisis has only exacerbated a long-term health care crisis that affects tens of millions of workers. Those in high office have maintained their unwavering commitment to the interests of the wealthy bankers and corporate owners. Even those among them who speak the language of women’s rights think nothing of sacrificing them to further their own agenda.
Health care should not be a commodity. Comprehensive, universal, quality health care is a human right, and that includes comprehensive reproductive rights.
