ABORTION ACCESS and PNHP Linda Prine MD Kelita
ABORTION ACCESS and PNHP Linda Prine MD Kelita Fox MD Erin Hendriks MD Linda Prine MD
The Recent Supreme Court (From Left) Fatimah Gifford, Amy Hagstrom Miller, Andrea Ferrigno, of Whole Woman’s Health on the Steps of the Supreme Court http: //rewire. news/photos/2016/06/29/steps-supreme-court-whole-womans-health-v-hellerstedt/
The Current Climate http: //www. nj. com/union/index. ssf/2016/04/women_rally_to_protest_against_donald_trump_in_pla. html
State Law Abortion Restrictions https: //www. guttmacher. org/laws-affecting-reproductive-health-and-rights-2013 -state-policy-review
State Law Abortion Restrictions Examples • Must be performed in a hospital • Second physician must participate • Provider may refuse to participate • Must be performed at a hospital • Must be performed by OB/GYN • “Partial Birth Abortion” Banned • Mandated counseling on – Breast Cancer links – Fetal pain – Negative psychological effects • Funding prohibited except in cases of life or physical health endangerment
State Law Abortion Restrictions • Mandatory waiting period after counseling can range from 18– 72 hrs – AL, AZ, AR, GA, ID, IN, KS, KY, LA, MI, MN, MS, MO, NE, NC, ND, OH, OK, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, WV, WI • Parental involvement required for minors in – AL, AZ, AR, CO, DE, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MD, MA, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NH, NC, ND, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, WV, WI, WY
November 2009 • Single payer vs Abortion bait and switch in the house • House leadership tells single payer supporters that the single payer amendment would be swamped with immigration and abortion provisions that would kill health care reform: Weiner and Kucinich’s bill is withdrawn, the next day anti-abortion amendment is introduced and passed
Hyde Amendment: Prohibits any federal funding for abortion, which affects: • Women on Medicaid • Women in armed services • Women on disability • Women in the Peace Corps • Native Americans • Women getting care in federally funded hospitals
NO Federal Money for Abortion • 1976 Hyde Amendment first passed • Hyde Amendment tacked onto yearly appropriations bill for health care funding • 2010: Stupak-Pitts was not attached to ACA when it passed the Senate, the deal being that Obama agreed to issue an executive order to add Hyde language to ACA
Hyde ripples out Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) includes Hyde language – covers children up to age 19
Hyde ripples out • Americorps Program through NACHC shut down as punishment for health workers who were providing “comfort measures” to women having abortions • Language in Americorps funding prohibits abortion counseling, referrals and appointment making
More about Hyde • 17 States fund abortion with state Medicaid • Hyde disproportionately affects women of color • 2016 is the first year the Democratic Party platform took a stand against Hyde
Is there a PNHP precedent? • Mental Health care coverage is supported by PNHP single payer plan • Long term care coverage is supported by single payer plan • Prescription Drug coverage supported
Religiously Affiliated Hospitals • Now account for 20% of all US Hospitals • Prevent physicians from prescribing contraceptives, irrespective of the MD’s religion or the patients’ religion • Affect medical school education and pharmacy school education • Religiously affiliated insurance plans now also can refuse to cover birth control (Hobby Lobby decision)
What is PNHP’s stance on Abortion? • Discussion on PNHP blog about end-of-life care and abortion – both restricted in Catholic affiliated hospitals, but no organizational support • No official position to be found on PHNP website • Other similar issues embraced: long term care, psychiatric care, better prescription drug plan
Racial Disparities 2014 • • • Abortion patients 39% white 28% Black 25% Hispanic 6% Asian or Pacific Islander 3% other Race is likely a proxy for income – poor women have more abortions
Other Facts • One out of 3 women in the US has an abortion in her lifetime • Abortion is the most common medical procedure done on women • Abortion could be a simple primary care service with mifepristone (RU 486, the “abortion pill”) • Early abortions are medically much safer
Missed Opportunity • Failure to ally with the reproductive rights movement hurts us: Colorado Care example • Reproductive Rights movement fell in with Obamacare and the ACA, very unfortunate
- Slides: 18