Grateful Thread… Short-Lived

by Margaret Michniewicz

“What would Margaret Michniewicz be like if she lived in the 1800s?” This was the burning question posted on my social networking page recently – and admittedly, the answers from my friends were amusing, ranging from one who had me frolicking in the Scottish countryside as part of a band of traveling musicians, to another who was confident I’d be an abolitionist with secret compartments in her home. But as I briefly envisioned myself in these activities with bemusement, I paused and thought, “Seriously, what would I be doing if I lived during the nineteenth century – or, more to the point: what would be available to me, as a woman, to do and be?”

Suffice it to say, I’m relieved that my time on earth is now, not then. The contrast of options that have been available to me, but not my mom, is stark enough. As we kick off the holiday season with Thanksgiving, I gratefully acknowledge the opportunities I have as editor of this publication to bring our readers stories of women living here in Vermont – and the fascinating and important work they do. Those included in this issue are no exception.

For all the gains women have made over the last two centuries, however, our health and well-being still remain precariously subject to political theater – dramatically playing out in Washington even today under the marquee of “healthcare reform.” Historic the House bill may be… acceptable in its current form? No. We invited Planned Parenthood of Northern New England to comment on the Stupak Ban.

Stop the Stupak Ban

In today’s struggling economy, more women than ever are finding themselves in difficult financial circumstances. One important factor is the cost of staying healthy: women spend 68 percent more on health care than men, largely because of their reproductive health care needs. Planned Parenthood of Northern New England (PPNNE) believes no woman should have to choose between health care and living expenses — but many do. It is critical we work together to reduce health care costs, while we increase access to care for all women.

On November 7, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a historic health reform bill. Unfortunately, the members of the House adopted an amendment to this otherwise laudable bill which severely compromises access to reproductive health care for the women who need it most. If enacted, the Stupak-Pitts Amendment would effectively ban private abortion coverage for millions of women in the United States.

PPNNE strongly opposes the Stupak Ban because it leaves women worse off after health care reform than they are today. The Stupak ban prohibits millions of women from using their own money to buy private health insurance that provides comprehensive reproductive health care benefits, including legal procedures. Under this ban, women will lose private insurance coverage for reproductive health they currently have, if they purchase health insurance in the exchange or marketplace established under health reform. This is particularly true for women who work for small employers or women who are self-employed, who will get their health insurance through the exchange.

The Stupak ban violates the central tenet of health care reform as articulated by President Obama: If you are happy with your health coverage, you can keep it. The President has promised, on numerous occasions, that Americans can keep the benefits they currently have, if they wish to do so. However, if the current House bill were enacted, millions of women would lose their private coverage for comprehensive reproductive health care.

The Stupak ban is not only awful policy, it is bad politics. Women understand the implications of the Stupak ban, and they are insisting that President Obama and congressional leaders strip this amendment. Join us in telling our legislators to stop the Stupak Ban. Visit http://plannedparenthoodaction.org/healthreform/ for more information on how you can help.