House Committee Passes Capps Amendment, Protects Abortion Coverage in Private Plans

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by Jodi Jacobson, Editor-in-Chief, RH Reality Check

July 30, 2009 - 9:32pm (Print)

Update: 11:28 PM, July 30th 2009.  Pitts revoted; fails! Waxman calls for reconsideration of Pitts Amendment; amendment then fails on voice vote 29 to 30.

Update, 11:09 PM, July 30th 2009.  Amendment by Stupak, Pitts (R-PA) and Terry (R-NE) to apply (yet another) conscience clause to the Energy and Commerce bill passes by voice vote.  Waxman encourages colleagues to vote in favor.

Update, 10:06 PM, July 30th 2009.  The Pitts Amendent passes; appears to prohibit mandatory abortion coverage.  More analysis to come.

In its ongoing markup tonight of the Affordable Health Choices Act, the House Energy and Commerce Committee just passed--by a vote of 30 to 28--an amendment offered by Congresswoman Lois Capps (D-CA) that appears to protect the ability of private insurance plans to provide coverage for abortion care, whether or not other aspects of the plan receive government subsidies. Funding would be segregated.

The vote was largely along party lines, with 6 Democrats lead by Michigan Congressman Bart Stupak, of the Democratic Pro-life Caucus, leading the charge to defeat the amendment.

Further analysis on these amendments forthcoming.

Follow Jodi Jacobson on Twitter, @jljacobson

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Santorum: Baby Created in Rape Still a "Gift"

by Robin Marty
Jan 23, 10:14am
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Asked whether he would refuse to allow his own daughters to obtain abortions if raped, Santorum explains that despite the facts of the conception, the baby is still a "gift."

If They Called It the “March for Forced Motherhood and Female Enslavement,” Then Would You Protest?

by Sunsara Taylor
Jan 20, 9:32am
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Without a doubt, those marching against women's rights this year will be as giddy with success as they are fanatical about their agenda. If they owned up to the program they are really pushing, that they are marching for “Forced Motherhood and Female Enslavement,” would that be enough to drive you out in the streets to protest? Stand up  for access to abortion and birth control at the Supreme Court in Washington, DC this Monday!

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Steven Waldman text of the amendments July 31, 2009 - 2:30pm

Here's the text of the amendments:

 

http://blog.beliefnet.com/stevenwaldman/2009/07/abortion-kabuki-dance-and-heal.html

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OFT Amendment August 6, 2009 - 12:55pm

If the Blue Dogs don't stop this legislation, they may lose election. This is the main reason why they were elected.