Schakowsky Voices Opposition to Anti-Choice Amendment

WASHINGTON, DC (November 7, 2009) — Rep. Jan Schakowsky, D-IL, urged colleagues of the House to vote against a proposed amendment that would restrict a woman's right to choose and force many women to pay more for their insurance. Rep. Schakowsky, co-chair of the Congressional Women's Caucus, has a long record of fighting for equality for women and working to protect a woman's right to choose.

As prepared for delivery:

"Madam Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to Stupak-Pitts. This amendment goes far beyond current law which already bans the use of federal funding for abortions. It goes far beyond the language already in this bill that guarantees no federal dollars are used for abortion. This amendment says that a woman CANNOT purchase coverage that includes abortion services using her own dollars; middle class women, using exclusively their own money will be prohibited from purchasing a plan including abortion coverage in every single public OR PRIVATE INSURANCE PLAN in the new health care exchange. Her only option is to buy a separate insurance policy that covers only abortion — a ridiculous and unworkable approach since no woman anticipates needing an abortion. This amendment is a radical departure from current law and will result in millions of women losing coverage they already have.

"This health reform bill is about improving access to care, not further restricting a woman's right to choose. Our bill is about lowering health care costs for millions of women and their families, not further marginalizing women by forcing them to pay more for their care. This amendment is a back door way of overturning Roe v. Wade; it is a disservice and insult to millions of women throughout our country. I urge my colleagues to vote against this amendment....