Health Scare

So. About that health reform.

Can I admit that I stopped following it months ago? Can I admit that, more than frustrating, I find the debates on health care utterly uninteresting? I simply can't pay attention. It's like arguing with a parrot who can only respond in one of three wise cracks, only far less amusing. We Abortioneers go through this time and again. You come at them with the knowledge, they retort with the yakety yak. YAWN.

That said, I proceed with my confession to admit that when the bill was signed, I had no idea what was in it. I Google it on occasion to see if anything interesting pops up, but what I've learned amounts to "Obama rules" and "It's better than nothing". What I do know, however, without having to watch CSPAN or read regurgitated AP articles, is that anti-abortion congresspeople just won't let up. What's the deal with this executive order? What does an executive order even mean? I had to ask my politically savvy BF, who informed me that it means dick and does not hold water in many cases. It sound to me like the antis calling for blood where it is not warranted or necessary. So what does this E.O. actually mean for abortion? Probably nothing, right? The Hyde amendment is still firmly in place (God bless it), and Lady Abortion is still dangling by a thread. I guess this just reaffirms what I already knew: our country sucks and always will.

As a self-proclaimed ignoramus on this issue, please enlighten me. But what I figure is we're sticking to the status quo and fighting in the trenches as per usual. I'm happy to do that, but at this point making myself angry by indulging anti banter is just not the way. Discuss, dear Abortioneers!

Activist Friday!

Recently, I had the opportunity to speak with my fellow students about the Stupak/Pitts Amendment. This amendment, which has been with us since the 7^th of this month, seems to not been on the radar of many of my colleagues. True-we are all busy, but this is serious! And scary! And affects us as well as our patients.

After our discussions, my peers were appalled and outraged! They were ready to fight this.

This is what we need-this power and energy….especially from those that aren’t normally raising their voices on issues. Let’s harness this energy and use it for good.

So on this Friday, I encourage you all to talk to 3 people about the Stupak/Pitts Amendment and how it can affect our patients and millions of women in this country.

Call your senators and congresspeople about this issue! Encourage them not to support it. (It’s not scary to call-I promise! The person on the other line is usually in their low 20s.)

The Senate’s version of their healthcare bill came out Wednesday night and has milder abortion restrictions than the House bill. But at some point, after the Senate has voted, the House and Senate will have to merge this bill into one. The Stupak/Pitts Amendment must be left out.

Now let’s get to work!

Fund Spotlight

As we all probably now know, the United States House of Representatives passed their version of health care reform Saturday night. In order to get the bill passed, Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi sacrificed women by allowing an amendment banning the purchase of health insurance that has abortion coverage for those using the public option - even when using private money, such as money generated from premiums. Watching the health care reform debate and the frustrating vote of the Stupak Amendment this weekend made me think of the struggles many women face (and that many more could face) with trying to quickly pay for an abortion. We know that with the Hyde Amendment still in force, federal money cannot fund abortions. With this amendment added to the health care reform bill, now even private insurance coverage could now be in jeopardy.

While we know we cannot count on government support of women in some of the most trying and difficult times of their lives, there are people out there that do their best to fill that void. These people run and work for abortion funds - the small local and national groups throughout the country that low-income women can call to get some help with paying for their abortions.

In this blog post, I would like to spotlight the CAIR (Community Abortion Information and Resource) Project. The CAIR Project is based in Seattle and serves women from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Alaska. In addition to funding assistance the CAIR Project also has information and resources on getting Medicaid funds (where that's available) as well as finding a provider. Funds like the CAIR Project are struggling to keep up with the demand for their help now, so imagine how hard it could be if the healthcare reform bill, as it stands right now, becomes law. Please help abortion funds like the CAIR Project in any way you can.