Commentary

What kind of health care reform takes away access women already have?

By Sarah A. Stoesz

Lately I've been asked by more than one person if Planned Parenthood plans to "stand in the way" of health care reform. The implication seems to be that to defend our patients' rights to abortion care -- to defend what they already have -- is to stand in the way.

To set the record straight, Planned Parenthood has always advocated for increased access to health care for all Americans. Most of our patients are low income, and we are painfully aware of the suffering caused by disparities in access -- especially among minority groups, immigrant newcomers, the unemployed and the uninsured. Our job, since we were founded in 1928, has been to relieve that suffering by offering affordable care -- from family planning services to annual gynecological exams and cancer screenings.

On behalf of our patients, we have vigorously advocated for reforms that would increase funding for family planning and reproductive health services and keep intact the network of safety-net providers, such as Planned Parenthood, that serve underserved communities.

The Affordable Health Care for America Act, passed recently by the U.S. House, would force us to betray the women we serve. The 11th-hour Stupak/Pitts amendment to the bill, passed at the urging of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, forbids coverage of abortion care for any providers participating in the new "exchange." Because most insurance companies already cover abortion care, the effect of this amendment -- offered by Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Mich., and Rep. Joe Pitts, R-Pa. -- would be to deny millions of women services they already have.

Fortunately, the Senate version of the health-care reform bill does not contain this language.

We have advocated mightily for our patients, and will continue to do so. That is not "standing in the way." It is standing up -- for our patients and for women's health.

We also will continue to advocate for increased access to health care for all Americans. I cannot speak for the bishops on that score. Nor can I speak for the House members who voted "yes" on the Stupak/Pitts amendment and "no" on health-care reform.

Sarah A. Stoesz is president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota.