Abortion: A Bargaining Chip for Obamacare

I was very interested in the editorial by Carlton W. Veazey, “Insurance Bans on Abortion Go for the Jugular.” As the President and CEO of the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, it is obvious Veazey is writing for pro-choice advocates like myself. Abortion is a national issue as made by the Roe v. Wade United States Supreme Court decision in 1973, which basically gave women the right to have an abortion. Veazey informs his audience that under the new healthcare law, bills are attempting to be passed by numerous states that prohibit insurance companies from covering abortion. Previous laws passed by certain individual states simply prolonged and complicated the already distressing process of abortion. Pro-life advocates may argue that since abortion is a distressing procedure, women should not have them. In my opinion, although abortion can be a decision with unfortunate consequences, so can an unwanted pregnancy. The new devious endeavors, Veazey states, will make it more difficult for women seeking abortions to have them than any of the previous laws, requiring these women to go through the similarly disagreeable process of pregnancy.

I agree when Carlton W. Veazey argues that the attempt to rid women of their access to their rights, namely to choose to have an abortion, limits a woman's life options and can make way for bitter, uncaring parents. Although I see eye to eye with him on the abortion issue, he does not give any sources for his claims in the editorial. He suggests that the U.S. Conference on Catholic Bishops and other extreme political organizations are behind the scheme. Having been raised Catholic; I know they are firmly against abortion unless the mother's life is in jeopardy. Therefore, it seems realistic that a Catholic organization would promote such legislation, but he does link any verification for this statement. Veazey also proclaims that 80 percent of private insurance plans cover abortion. I did a bit of "googling" and found that most people seem to think most insurance plans do not cover abortion. However, if he were credible in his statement, for states to prohibit abortion coverage would be preposterous and insensitive. If it is Catholics and extreme political organizations behind the effort to ban coverage on abortion, they are being selfish and intolerant of opposing beliefs.