Women in High Risk Pools Must Be Allowed to Decide!

Forthwith, my customization of a CREDO Action letter to the Obama administration on abortions for women eligible for the new high-risk pools:

I oppose—indeed, I am outraged by—the administration's decision to exclude abortion coverage for women who will be covered by the new high-risk pools. Who, I ask, is most at risk during pregnancy, is most at risk of delivering an infant with serious health problems, and knows best her own abilities—or lack thereof—of caring for a child, not only in infancy, but to adulthood?
This policy means that women who are part of these pools because they have significant health problems, such as diabetes or cancer, will not be able to access abortion care for the next three years, even if their health is at further risk. If these women are forced to carry fetuses to term, who will be expected to care for them? Should women who are already at high risk be faced with this Hobson’s choice? No, no, a thousand times no!

At a time when the country is on the cusp of implementing nationwide health-insurance coverage, it is unacceptable to treat abortion care differently in the new high-risk pools.

Please have compassion—and show respect—for women in these circumstances and allow them to make this difficult choice themselves, with family members, and without regard to politics.

It is the least a government that calls itself humane can do.