Rosa DeLauro, Key Pro-Choice Dem, Makes Case For Senate Abortion Language

[jefferson_dem]

Rosa DeLauro, Key Pro-Choice Dem, Makes Case For Senate Abortion Language

A key pro-choice House Democrat, working on health care in Congress, hinted on Monday that said she might be willing to support the Senate's abortion language.

Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) who has been tasked by leadership with helping hammer out a compromise on abortion between the two chambers, said she was not thrilled with either the House or Senate legislation's provisions. But in an interview with the Huffington Post, the Connecticut Democrat did say she would support the Senate's version of abortion-related language provided that she could confirm her belief that it did not go beyond current law.

"There are some questions I still have," DeLauro said. "And that's why I want to see this side-by-side with the language. It's not Stupak-Pitts . So, it's already . And it would appear to be current law. I would have to look at the questions that surround it, et cetera. But if it is current law then it would be something that was my goal at the outset: let's maintain current law and then let's pass health care."

DeLauro is one of the strongest champions for women's reproductive rights in the House; her blessing over the Senate abortion language represents a potentially major concession.

Under the Senate bill, states would be allowed to prohibit insurers operating in the soon-to-be-created health insurance exchanges from offering plans that cover abortion. Those people and businesses participating in the exchanges would have to purchase a separate plan to cover abortion. Meanwhile, those who receive federal subsidies to purchase insurance would be required to use their own money if they wished to purchase abortion coverage. The House bill goes even further, prohibiting insurers operating in the exchange from providing abortion coverage unless it's in the form of a supplemental plan that consumers can only purchase with private funds.

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http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/12/29/rosa-delauro-key-pro-choi_n_406043.html

[LisaM]

1. Progressives have been conceding to the anti-abortion crowd since Roe v. Wade was enacted

This sucks.

[nykym]

2. I want to see

Viagra & all its spin offs added to the language. It is inherently related to the abortion dust-up. And don't tell me not being able to get it up is a medical problem and should be covered! It sometimes is the cause of a woman wanting an abortion.

[Clio the Leo]

3. And Catholic Hospitals have endorsed the Senate langauge ...

.... (they broke with American Catholic Bishops in the process) ... this, my friends is compromise .... this is how we get things done. Good on you Ms. DeLauro.

http://wonkroom.thinkprogress.org/2009/12/26/abortion-senate-hospitals/

[RoadRage]

4. I'm fine with all "elective" proceedures being "on own".

If an abortion is medically neccessary for the health of the mother, it should be covered. If not - i'm fine with the patient paying for it on her own. Same with vasectomy's, plastic surgery, etc.

Not a popular decision here on DU, I realize.. but frankly this is called baby-steps.. and fighting an all or nothing battle on this one issue is stupid IMO. Right now far more women die each year from having NO insurance, and if that is resolved, and women have to pay for their own abortions (AS THEY CURRENTLY DO NOW) then we're still miles ahead.