- Target:
- Tim Kaine; Mark Warner
- Region:
- United States of America
Gov. Bob McDonnell added an amendment to Virginia health care reform legislation that interferes in private medical and economic decisions by prohibiting insurance companies from offering policies that cover safe and legal abortion in the state health exchange.
From invasive ultrasound requirements to burdensome and medically unnecessary health clinic regulations, conservative Virginia politicians continue to generate outrage across the Commonwealth with these over the top attacks on women's health.
Gov. McDonnell's amendment takes them a step further and denies private insurance companies the ability to supply, and individuals the right to demand, comprehensive health care in Virginia.
These important and private medical decisions must be made by a woman and her doctor, not by politicians. The Governor has no place determining what kind of health care a woman in crisis should receive. Caring for pregnant women means making sure they have the care they need for all medical possibilities during pregnancy – whether that applies to carrying a pregnancy to term or making the decision with their doctor to end the pregnancy.
Abortion is part of basic health care for women and must be part of comprehensive insurance plans without exception. McDonnell's amendment sets a dangerous precedent for political interference into health care decisions by eliminating coverage for care to which he is ideologically opposed.
Right now, we need you to add your voice to ours and progressives from across the Commonwealth who are strongly condemning Governor Bob McDonnell's action to interfere in decisions that should be between a woman and her doctor.
I'm writing to ask you to reject Governor McDonnell's proposed amendment to HB1900/SB921 that prohibits insurance companies from offering policies that cover abortion in the health exchange.
His amendment denies private insurance companies the ability to supply, and individuals the right to demand, comprehensive health care in Virginia. Taking away insurance coverage for a legal medical procedure that most plans have covered for years leaves women in a dangerous situation if they find themselves in need of serious medical care resulting from complex and sometimes life-threatening pregnancies. Furthermore, this amendment restricts individuals ability to spend their private dollars on a health care plan of their choosing.
Medical decisions should be made by a woman and her doctor, not by politicians. Governor McDonnell's amendment sets a dangerous precedent for political interference into health care decisions by eliminating coverage for care to which he is ideologically opposed.
Please reject this egregious amendment.