Pro-choice religious leaders urge Congress to maintain abortion access in health care reform
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The Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice said in an open letter to Congress that the government must resist pressure from anti-abortion groups to restrict access to abortions in any health care reform measures.
The majority of faith groups in America have affirmed that abortion is a decision of conscience that should be safeguarded by government. Further, these faith traditions affirm that health care services, including abortion, must be available to all, regardless of income. If coverage for abortion is eliminated from health care reform, the poor and communities of color will bear the consequences. Already, a low-income woman is four times as likely to have an unintended pregnancy and five times as likely to have an unintended birth as her higher income counterpart. Lack of access to abortion services perpetuates inequality and compromises the future of women, their families and their communities.
In this religiously pluralistic nation, our health care system should be inclusive and respectful of diverse religious beliefs and decisions regarding childbearing. One in three American women has an abortion by age 45, making it one of the most common medical procedures in the nation. Ignoring this truth belies the rhetoric of comprehensive, accessible health care.
Thank you for your consideration.
President and CEO, Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice
Washington DC
PARO - Presbyterians affirming Reproductive Options
Council of Governors, Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice
Baltimore MD
Director, Faith Voices for the Common Good
Oakland CA
Lutheran Women's Caucus
Philadelphia, PA
President, Christian Community, Inc.
Fort Wayne IN
Executive Director, Religious Institute
Westport CT
Co-director, WATER - Women's Alliance for Theology, Ethics and Ritual
Silver Spring MD
Founder, Progressive Faith Foundation
Board of Directors, Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice
Los Angeles CA
Executive Director, Methodist Federation for Social Action
Washington DC
Visiting scholar
Center for Bioethics, University of Pennsylvania
Washington DC
Director, Department on Programming and Advocacy
Women of Reform Judaism
New York NY
Executive Director, Progressive Christians Uniting
Los Angeles CA
Director, Disciples Justice Action Network (Disciples of Christ)
Washington DC
Executive Director, Women of Reform Judaism
New York NY
Senior Pastor, First Iconium Baptist Church
Board of Directors, Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice
Atlanta GA
President, Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations
Boston MA
President, Catholics for Choice
Washington DC
Unitarian Universalist Minister
Board of Directors, Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice
Worcester MA
Dean, Howard University School of Divinity*
Washington, DC
Co-Team Leader, Justice & Witness Ministries
United Church of Christ
Cleveland OH
President and Dean, Episcopal Divinity School
Cambridge MA
Nancy Ratzan
President, National Council of Jewish Women
Miami FL
President, Women of Reform Judaism
New York NY
President, Disciples For Choice
Tulsa OK
Rabbi Shawn Zevit
Director of Outreach and Tikkun Olam
Congregational Consultant
Jewish Reconstructionist Federation
Jenkintown PA
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Digg
Step 1) Keep Health Insurance in the private realm (not the public-funded arena).
Step 2) And instead, use the Federal government's power to regulate that the entities in that private realm whom are related to direct health care services are Non-Profit organizations (insurers, hospitals, clinics, doctors, etc.).
Step 3) Done.
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