Meek Seeks 'Common Ground' Solution to Abortion in Health Care Debate

Proposal Maintains Status Quo and Averts Potential Roadblocks in Health Care Legislation

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Congressman Kendrick B. Meek (D-FL) joined Congressman Tim Ryan (D-OH) in calling for a 'common ground' solution to the growing concern surrounding abortion services and the public option for insurance in final health care reform legislation. Following is a copy of a letter sent to Speaker Nancy Pelosi outlining the proposal:

July 21, 2009

The Honorable Nancy Pelosi
Speaker
United States House of Representatives
H-232 Capitol
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Speaker Pelosi:

As health care reform legislation moves quickly through the three House committees and is considered by the full chamber over the next several weeks, we are increasingly concerned about potential roadblocks around the issue of abortion. With 45 million uninsured Americans, we want to make sure that disagreements over this often-contentious issue don't threaten the success of the final health care reform package.

Therefore, we believe that a common ground solution is to include language in the final legislation that makes clear that no insurance company will be required to pay for an abortion except in extraordinary circumstances – nor will they be prohibited from paying for an abortion, so long as health insurance plans offered in the exchange that choose to provide abortion coverage pay for those services with funds that are separate and distinct from any federal subsidies.

This solution maintains the current status quo in the private market – where insurance companies can choose whether to include this coverage in their plans and individuals can choose which plan (and what sort of coverage) fits their individual needs and values while ensuring that no federal funds are used to pay for abortions.

Lastly, we believe that health reform legislation should not preempt constitutionally permissible state laws that establish pre-requisites that a patient must satisfy before obtaining an abortion, such as parental consent and waiting period laws.

We have already made great progress in forging common ground around reducing the need for abortion by supporting prevention policies that help reduce unintended pregnancies and promoting alternatives to abortion. Now it is imperative that we reach some consensus on the issue of abortion in health care reform, so that we can move this critical legislation forward and help the growing number of uninsured and underinsured Americans access quality, affordable health care.

Sincerely,

Tim Ryan
Member of Congress

Dale E. Kildee
Member of Congress

James R. Langevin
Member of Congress

Artur Davis
Member of Congress

Kendrick B. Meek
Member of Congress

U.S. Rep. Kendrick B. Meek represents the 17th Congressional District of Florida which includes parts of Miami-Dade and Broward Counties. He serves as the lone Florida Democrat sitting on the House Committee on Ways and Means.

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