Biggest Abortion Restriction in a Generation: Backward, Onerous, Infuriating

MSNBC Host Rachel Maddow as a guest on Meet the Press:

It’s the biggest restriction on abortion access in this country in a generation.

National Organization for Women President Terry O’Neil as reported by Matt Viser in the Globe:

If women are going to be relegated to second-class status, let’s say so.  Mr. Capuano may want women to be in second-class status; maybe he’s happy with that.  My guess is Mr. Capuano has never worried about missing a period.

Martha Coakley in the same article:

Let’s be clear on what’s principled here.  If it comes down to this in the Senate and it’s the health care bill or violating women’s rights, where does he stand?  If Congressman Capuano feels that he has to sell one set of constitutional rights for another, then he should say that.

The New York Times editorial board:

The restrictions… are a sharp departure from current practice, an infringement of a woman’s right to get a legal medical procedure and an unjustified intrusion by Congress into decisions best made by patients and doctors.

The Baltimore Sun editorial board:

This is a big step backward.  Why poor women should be refused reproductive choices — particularly when the consequences for society can be so adverse — is one of the federal government’s more mind-boggling and misguided policies.

Democratic strategist Donna Brazile on ABC’’s This Week:

This pretty much outlaws abortion for even people with private insurance… This is an onerous burden on women.

Health reporter Dr. Nancy Snyderman on MSNBC:

This isn’t fair… I find it infuriating.  I really think it doesn’t matter what side of the abortion issue or the pro-choice issue you’re on, the fact that you’re now making health care harder and harder for women to navigate the system, I think it’s outrageous.  Just outrageous.