On the recordJuly 20, 2010
Mr. Speaker, I rise today because women's reproductive rights are under attack. Four months ago we passed a health care bill to ensure that every man, woman and child in this country has access to the medical care they need. But yesterday, a rule was announced that restricts choice coverage in the new high-risk insurance pools--even if the woman pays for that coverage with her own money. This rule means women with preexisting conditions such as cancer, AIDS, diabetes, who have been denied coverage and are counting on the high-risk pools, won't be able to get reproductive health coverage; not even if they pay for it with their own money. This incomplete and conditional care is not what our mothers, daughters, sisters and wives need. This is not the status quo. We must remember the health care bill we passed, protect a woman's right to choose, and stop this harmful provision before it takes effect. ____________________
