Hoeffel Commits to Reproductive Freedom in Health Care Reform

By HOEFFEL FOR GOVERNOR

Statement of Democrat Joe Hoeffel, Candidate for Governor of Pennsylvania

The US Senate is finally prepared to vote on its version of the health care reform bill, after weeks of intense negotiation and compromise. While I am elated to see America one step closer to reforming our health care system, I am extremely distressed — as are many of you — by one of the final compromises added to the Senate bill.

Prior to this weekend, the bill contained a provision that each health insurance exchange — the statewide marketplaces where individuals and families can shop for health insurance plans — must offer at least one plan that provides abortion coverage and at least one plan that does not provide abortion coverage.

Unfortunately, to guarantee the vote of Nebraska Sen. Ben Nelson, the requirement that at least one plan in each state must provide abortion coverage was removed. The bill, as it is being voted on, instead reads:

“A State may elect to prohibit abortion coverage in qualified health plans offered through an Exchange in such State if such State enacts a law to provide for such prohibition.”

Organizations from Planned Parenthood to NOW are outraged at the prospect that each state could enact a law forbidding any exchange-based insurance plan from providing abortion coverage. I stand with them in hoping this provision is removed from the final bill to be presented to President Obama.

However, should this provision remain and become law as part of our national health care reform, as governor I will preserve a woman’s right to choose in Pennsylvania by vetoing any bill which would prohibit abortion coverage from being offered in plans offered through our state insurance exchange.

As a state representative and US congressman, I have been an outspoken leader defending women’s reproductive freedom, and as governor I will continue the fight to protect and advance a woman’s right to choose.

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December 21, 2009 at 3:04 pm

--pa2010.com Staff