by Karina
Web Editor
Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota Action Fund
Yesterday the Senate defeated the Nelson/Hatch amendment, the Senate’s version of the Stupak amendment. This is a tremendous achievement over anti-choice legislators and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops who tried to derail health care reform with the Stupak/Pitts and Nelson/Hatch amendments.
Via Planned Parenthood MN, ND, SD press release:
The Nelson/Hatch amendment mirrored the Stupak amendment to the House health care reform bill. The amendment would have placed a new restriction on women's access to abortion coverage in the private health insurance market, effectively undermining the ability of millions of women to purchase private health insurance plans that cover abortion care, even if they pay for the entire premium with their own money.
The amendment was defeated by a 54-45 vote to table the amendment, cutting off debate on the amendment and defeating it.
Senator Franken delivered a compelling argument against the Nelson/Hatch amendment during debate on Tuesday:
We are on the verge of passing a historic health reform law that will do more to improve the health of women and families than any legislation in recent history. We will end discrimination based on health history, gender, or history of domestic violence. We will provide access to preventive health services so women can get annual exams and mammograms at no cost. And it’s our responsibility to guarantee women are not worse off under health reform than they are today. As my friend and mentor Paul Wellstone used to say: “If we don’t fight hard enough for the things that we stand for, at some point we have to recognize that we don’t really stand for them.” I urge my colleagues to stand with me today to oppose this amendment.
You can read the rest of this statement here.
Of the Senators representing the states in this Planned Parenthood affiliate, Senator Klobuchar and Franken from Minnesota, and Senator Tim Johnson from South Dakota all voted to defeat the Nelson/Hatch amendment. If you’re a Minnesotan or a South Dakotan, please take the time to thank your Senator(s).
Click here to Thank Senators Franken and Klobuchar.
Click here to Thank Senator Tim Johnson
Unfortunately, Senators Conrad and Dorgan of North Dakota voted in favor of the amendment which would have left women worse of after health care reform. Senator John Thune of South Dakota also voted in support of the Nelson/Hatch Amendment. If you’re a North or South Dakotan, take a moment to let them know that you’re not happy with their vote.
Click here to contact Senators Conrad and Dorgan.
Click here to contact Senator John Thune.
Thanks so much for everything you’ve done to help make sure that we stop Stupak!! Now all we have to do is pass health care reform, right? Yes we can!!
We’ll need your help. Stay tuned!
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