Abortion Rights Activists Say Stupak-Pitts Amendment Would Hurt Women's Rights

Nov. 9, 2009 — -- An amendment included in the House health care bill passed this weekend promising to restrict federal funding for abortions has reignited a fiery debate on one of the most controversial issues in the country.

The Stupak-Pitts amendment, passed in a 240-194 vote Saturday with the notable support of 64 Democrats, adds language to the health care bill that would, if passed by the Senate, heavily restrict federal funding for abortion procedures.

According to the amendment, no government funds under the new health care plan could go toward the payment for an abortion, except in cases of rape, incest or when a mother's life is in danger.

Those individuals who would receive a government subsidy for health care under the plan -- any four-person family making $88,000 a year or less -- would also be prohibited from buying an insurance plan that covers abortions.

Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Mich., one of the amendment's co-authors and an abortion rights opponent, has argued that he does not believe the provision will "curb a woman's right to choose."

But abortion rights advocates disagree.

"We think that this new amendment is an unacceptable addition to the health care bill and if enacted it will result in women losing the benefits they have today," Laurie Rubiner, the vice president of public policy for Planned Parenthood, told ABCNews.com.

Rubiner believes that should this amendment pass, private insurance companies that would want to be part of the health care exchange would stop covering abortions to make their policies available to the greatest number of customers.

"Most people in the exchange will be subsidized," said Rubiner. "That's where all the business will be so insurance companies aren't going to offer the coverage [for abortions]."

"You're talking about people who are paying their own money or are minimally subsidized by the federal government, and they will be prevented from purchasing insurance that supports abortion," said Rubiner.