Center for Reproductive Rights Statement on House Healthcare Reform Vote

(PRESS RELEASE) This evening, the House of Representatives voted for health care legislation that requires women who are insured through the Exchange to purchase riders for coverage of abortion services and eliminates abortion coverage in the public option altogether. Nancy Northup, president of the Center for Reproductive Rights, issued this statement in response:

“Tonight’s vote in the House is a stunning assault on women’s health and rights. In a matter of hours, our elected officials have fallen hook, line and sinker for the anti-choice position, dispensing with a credible compromise on abortion and adopting a bill that would leave millions of women worse off than they already are today.

“American women demand that members of the Senate refuse the political bait which sullied the House vote and protect women’s health. Healthcare reform is supposed to provide affordable healthcare coverage to all Americans. Yet for women, this legislation gives with one hand and takes away with the other, forcing millions to buy insurance that does not meet all of their medical needs.”