Healthcare reform has been on the tip of everyoneís tongue recently.† First, Republicans were beside themselves with anger over the initial reform proposals.† Now, Democrats have also banded together against the newly proposed Stupak/Pitts amendment over regulating the coverage of abortion in public healthcare.
After first reading both the current Hyde amendment, and the newly proposed Stupak/Pitts, I found it very hard to find an overwhelming difference between the two.† In fact, the wording is almost identical. Many people are angered because the Stupak bill prohibits federally funded healthcare for covering abortions.† But, this is currently the case with the Hyde Amendment.† Between the two bills, the distinction is actually made with the role of state money.† Currently, state funding is permitted to aid women in paying for abortions as long as there is no Medicaid reimbursement.† According to the actual Stupik/Pitt Amendment, with the new proposal, state, like federal funding, is prohibited from being used ìexcept in the case where a woman suffers from a physical disorder, physical injury, or physical illness that wouldÖplace the woman in danger of death unless an abortion is performed”.† This means that abortions must be completely privately funded.
The source of the concern is ìif you give them an inch, theyíll take a mile.”† Even if the change between the Hyde and the Stupak amendment is subtle, it is a step in the wrong direction for womenís healthcare.† The writers of this amendment argue that they are not going against their Democratic Party values and that this difference will not be a large change from the current policies.† But, for someone who is already unhappy with the status quo, this small change against womenís health is enough to get concerned.† This amendment will most likely not be passed as is because it still has to go through the Senate.† So, there is hope that it will be challenged.
The intense media coverage from both pro-lifers and pro-choice groups will make this amendment not only controversial but also slow the process of passing it.
Hannah Diorio-Toth is a Viewpoints editor for the Voice. She can be reached for comment at HDiorio-Toth11@wooster.edu.