NCJW denounces Senate health care restrictions on abortion coverage

WASHINGTON, DC (Press Release) — The National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) on Tuesday denounced the provision in the Senate health reform bill that would deprive millions of women of access to abortion and impose onerous restrictions on millions more. NCJW President Nancy Ratzan released the following statement:

“The ongoing war against women’s ability to exercise their constitutional right to obtain an abortion has advanced another step with the inclusion of new restrictions on insurance coverage in the Senate version of pending health care reform legislation. The use of a desperately needed health reform bill to roll back women’s rights and undermine women’s health care is an outrage.

“The provision that would require women and men to write a separate check for abortion coverage has no other purpose than to stigmatize abortion. It is designed to undermine the health, dignity, and well-being of women in order to impose a particular moral and religious view of reproductive rights on all of us. Further, women in states that exercise the Senate’s ‘opt out’ provision may lose access to abortion coverage under the plan altogether.

“The adoption of this language by the Senate is a brutal reminder of the importance to women of ensuring that leaders and legislators share their commitment to women’s fundamental freedom to control their own bodies and make their own moral decisions. As the bill moves to conference, NCJW will continue its efforts to ensure the removal of these restrictions from the final bill.”

The National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) is a grassroots organization of volunteers and advocates who turn progressive ideals into action. Inspired by Jewish values, NCJW strives for social justice by improving the quality of life for women, children, and families and by safeguarding individual rights and freedoms.

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Preceding provided by National Council of Jewish Women