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  • Title: Female lawmakers approve of plan but fear retreat on abortion coverage.
    Author: Hosler K.
    Journal: Evening Sun; 1993 Sep 15; ():11A. PubMed ID: 12318406.
    Abstract:
    Female US Members of Congress consider President Clinton's health care reform plan to be a step in the right direction, but are concerned that it does not clearly state that abortion services will be covered. Yet, administration officials say that abortion coverage is included in the standard benefit package. Female legislators are concerned that a fight over abortion could ruin the entire health care reform effort and that the President would agree to whatever terms the congressional debate produces. A lawmaker stresses that Congress should not, in its haggling, get rid of women's health and that the President should support the retention of pregnancy-related services, even abortion. On the other hand, anti-abortion groups fear that the President is trying to coerce everyone to pay for a system that conducts abortions. One female lawmaker does not want women to use "their private funds to pay for their private parts" while public funds cover all of men's needs. The plan proposes coverage for many preventive services, e.g., Pap smears, mammograms, prenatal care, and routine exams. Some female lawmakers and health policy analysts question the plan's proposal to cover Pap smears among women of reproductive age only once every 3 years, if the women have a negative result on 3 prior annual tests, while obstetricians/gynecologists recommend a Pap smear annually. Other questions revolve around mammograms only for women over 50 and screening for osteoporosis. An administration official says that these screenings would be covered if a physician suspects a problem. The plan increases access for many people who currently do not have or have limited access to health care, e.g., the working poor, the unemployed, and the elderly, most of whom are women. It also allows more assistance for caregivers of disabled family members who tend to be women. Other beneficial provisions include mental health services and prescription drug benefits.
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