Women and Politics

By WCF Fellow: Trish

It is undeniable that WCF-endorsed candidate Martha Coakley is a champion of affordable, quality health care. She has been for two decades. As Attorney General, she reached a historic $17 million settlement with an insurance company that unfairly denied coverage and mislead consumers.

During her bid for Massachusetts Senate, she was the first candidate to give more than a sound-bite stance on the issue—she delivered a comprehensive plan of action. She articulated support for a strong public option and provided necessary reform strategies to contain costs, including changing pay incentives and implementing systematic transparency.

But with the likes of the Stupak amendment putting women’s reproductive rights and choice on the table as a bargaining chip, Coakley has publicly declared that she sees this as taking a step backwards.

Let’s get real about this: the amendment bans abortion coverage in both private and public plans. Obama and a liberal congress promised that health care reform legislation would keep reproductive rights secured by the status quo. This legislation goes far beyond that jurisdiction; it’s absolutely regressive.

The amendment would disproportionably impact poor women who do not have access to private insurance. They are the group most likely to seek affordable options though the exchange.

In a Statement Coakley said:

The House’s vote is in many ways a significant step toward the goal of health care reform. However, I am deeply disturbed that the House adopted the Stupak/Pitts amendment, which would deny millions of women access to reproductive services.  The inclusion of the Stupak/Pitts amendment violates the very intent of health care reform, which is meant to guarantee quality, affordable health care coverage for everyone.  I believe that the Senate has a responsibility to fix this by eliminating the provision in whatever reform legislation moves forward.

Achieving real health care reform that does not compromise a woman’s right to choose will apparently, take a different kind of leadership. Coakley, in her unwavering stance to compromise on such a vital issue, had demonstrated she is that kind of leader.

It is now up to the Senate to ensure that this fundamental inequity is rectified. So hurry up ladies, let’s get WCF endorsed candidate Martha Coakley in that Senate seat.

Tags: health care reform, martha coakley, stupak amendment, Women's reproductive rights