When the House of Representatives passed its version of healthcare reform legislation last year, it included the Stupak-Pitts amendment that will restrict access to abortion coverage in new insurance plans.  Many Representatives supported and voted in favor of this amendment because the US Conference of Catholic Bishops lobbied them to do so.

We recently commissioned polling in the Congressional districts of four Catholic Representatives who voted with the bishops, to provide further evidence that they are severely out of touch and out of step with the constituents they purport to represent in Congress.  

The polling, taken in the districts of Maine's 2nd (Michael Michaud), Ohio's 9th (Marcy Kaptur), Pennsylvania's 14th (Mike Doyle) and Texas' 16th (Silvestre Reyes) shows that the electorate does support insurance coverage for abortion in healthcare reform. When combined with those who either support direct federal coverage or private coverage that would be included in federal plans, majorities in Pennsylvania (69%), Maine (61%), Ohio (56%) and Texas (51%) favor making abortion coverage available in a government-subsidized health insurance plan.

It is imperative that Members of Congress hear from Catholics like you, to remind them that it is their constituents that send them to Capitol Hill - not the bishops.

Women's health is at risk now that the Democratic leadership seems to be pandering to more conservative voters. In 2006 and 2008 many candidates backed by the Democratic Party were elected even though they did not agree with the Party's platform, especially on abortion. This strategy worked on one level, handing majorities to the Democratic Party in the Senate and the House. It also resulted in the emergence of new factions in the party. Unfortunately, several of these new members are now following the wishes of antiabortion groups, including the USCCB. This made the party more electable in the short term-when the electorate was already amenable to voting against Republican candidates-but more conservative in the long run.  

There continues to be a strong, progressive element in the Democratic Party, including a number of House members who fought strongly for healthcare reform that supports women and includes access to abortion.  As we enter the final phase of healthcare reform legislation, the leadership must ensure these voices figure strongly in the negotiations, and are allowed the chance to put forward common sense proposals that include the full range of women's reproductive healthcare options. American women, especially lower income women, need this support.

• Take action now. Contact your Member of Congress. Remind them that Catholics support access to abortion as part of healthcare coverage. They need to hear from you today!

• Contact us if you're from these districts. Send us an email at activists@catholicsforchoice.org if you live in Maine's 2nd district, Ohio's 9th district, Pennsylvania's 14th district or Texas' 16th district. 

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