Catholics, Protestants, & Jews Condemn Stupak Restrictions

Catholics for Choice, one of the faith groups that will be represented at today’s press conference condemning the Stupak amendment, calls the Bishops who influenced Pelosi to include Stupak

a small group of men who don’t represent American Catholics, let alone the American populace.

They claim that 84% of American Catholics want insurance to cover abortions when the life of the mother is in danger, and that 50% want coverage any time a mother and her doctor decide it is appropriate.  The group warns:

If the electorate sees that a woman’s right to choose is not a core value but simply a bargaining chip to be laid on the table when the going gets tough, there will be a price to pay.  We call on the Democratic leadership and all of our elected representatives to put forward health care reform that can be endorsed by the American people, not just the US Bishops.

Today’s press conference in DC was called by the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice.  On their website,  an open letter signed by members of Catholics for Choice, various Jewish groups, Unitarian Universalists, and mainline protestant denominations including Congregationalists, Presbyterians, Methodists, Episcopalians, & Lutherans says:

As religious leaders, we support public policies that are just and compassionate and prioritize the needs of those who are poor and marginalized in our society.

…health care services, including abortion, must be available to all, regardless of income. If coverage for abortion is eliminated from health care reform, the poor and communities of color will bear the consequences. Already, a low-income woman is four times as likely to have an unintended pregnancy and five times as likely to have an unintended birth as her higher income counterpart. Lack of access to abortion services perpetuates inequality and compromises the future of women, their families and their communities.