Dear Haytham,
If it passes, this bill would allow hospitals to refuse to treat a pregnant woman experiencing a life-threatening complication without further regard for her health or well-being. We need you to act right now to keep this bill from becoming law. Tell your representative to vote NO on H.R. 358. (Do not forward: This link will open a page with your information already filled in.) This dangerous measure was introduced earlier this year by Representative Joe Pitts (R-PA). In addition to permitting hospitals to simply abandon women whose lives are on the line, this extraordinarily harsh legislation would effectively ban insurance coverage of abortion in the new health care system. Most insurance plans already cover abortion. So, the Pitts bill would have the effect of taking away insurance coverage that millions of women already have. The Pitts bill would also let states give exceptions to insurance companies that do not want to cover certain care that the Department of Health and Human Services has determined must be covered. This means states could pick and choose which coverage you'll receive, including coverage for contraception or screening and counseling for HIV. We have to oppose the Pitts bill at every turn. Tell your member of Congress to protect life-saving health care for women. Extreme measures such as the Pitts bill should be rejected out of hand. Congress has no business taking away the abortion insurance coverage that millions of women now have — and no place telling hospitals they are free to endanger the life of a woman in need of emergency care. The vote is happening tomorrow, so please act now.
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