Abortion Coverage Erupts as Contentious Issue in Healthcare Reform Debate

As the national healthcare reform debate intensifies, abortion coverage has emerged as a contentious issue, pitting organizations on both sides against each other in a battle for public opinion and Congressional support. With House representatives divided on the issue, the Clinton administration is searching for a compromise that could help passage of the reform bill. Abortion rights groups are pushing for inclusion of abortion coverage in the basic benefits package, while anti-abortion groups are advocating for a "rider" or supplementary package that would allow individuals to opt out.

Key Takeaways:

• 35 House representatives signed a letter opposing any bill that covers abortion, while 68 representatives said health care reform must include abortion coverage.
• The Clinton administration is exploring compromise options to reach a consensus on abortion coverage.
• Abortion rights groups are pushing for inclusion of abortion coverage in the basic benefits package, while anti-abortion groups are advocating for a "rider" or supplementary package.
• The United States Catholic Conference opposes abortion inclusion, while Planned Parenthood and other abortion rights advocates support inclusion in the basic benefits package.
• Abortion opponents worry that mandating abortion coverage could lead to an expansion of abortion services since Roe v. Wade.
• Abortion rights advocates agree to a growth in services but predict that including abortion as a covered benefit would require more abortion providers.

Statistics:

• 68% of Americans say they do not want abortion included in a national benefits package (Times-Mirror poll).
• 64% of Americans say the basic package should cover "medically necessary" abortions (Hickman-Brown poll).
• 68.5% of Americans say they do not want their tax money to pay for others' abortions (University of Cincinnati poll).
• 66% of Americans would be "less likely to vote to re-elect" a member of Congress who voted for a law requiring them to pay for abortions as part of their health insurance premiums (Wirthlin poll).

Sources:

• "Good Morning America" (July 1994)
• Times-Mirror poll
• Hickman-Brown poll
• University of Cincinnati poll
• Wirthlin poll
• Clinton administration officials
• House Speaker Foley (D, Wash.)
• Planned Parenthood
• United States Catholic Conference
• National Abortion Federation
• American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
• Congressional Budget Office