Monday, July 19, 2010

Open Letter to President Obama

Dear President Obama,

From the start, women have been at the base of your support as President-elect and through your term. We supported you throughout your Presidential campaign and some of us even stood by you when we felt thrown under the bus by the Stupak Amendment, although it was not included in the final health care reform bill. Now, I think it is safe to say that many of us feel thrown under the bus yet again. The question was recently posed of whether or not women in the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plans (PCIP) would be covered by insurance when they wanted to pursue the option of having an abortion. You decided, with the flick of your wrist, that women in PCIPs--essentially high-risk insurance pools-- would not be covered by insurance companies.

These women--those in high-risk insurance pools--are those most likely to have extremely at-risk pregnancies, they have conditions that would make pregnancy difficult and would make abortion the most liable option. How can you deny these women coverage? How can you deny women coverage, even if they pay for their own abortion? You claimed that you were a pro-choice President, Mr. Obama, be a pro-choice President. You backed down once before with an executive order to compromise for the Stupak Amendment, please don't compromise on women's health and reproductive rights.

I still love you and I still think you're a progressive President; please show us that you are instead of just claiming you are. Actions speak louder than words, President Obama, and right now your actions are almost like a whisper. I hope you do better.

Love always,
A staunchly pro-choice feminist

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