Senator Ben Nelson, a Nebraska Democrat, is expected to introduce a Stupak-like amendment on Monday, 12/9/09, banning abortion coverage from any health care reform-even in insurance coverage that now provides it. Nelson’s amendment will closely mirror the language of the Stupak-Pitts Amendment that was added to the House health reform bill under last-minute pressure from the US Conference of Catholic Bishops.

The Stupak-Pitts Amendment targets middle and lower income women in the same way that the Hyde Amendment does poor women. If it becomes law it will effectively wipe out insurance coverage for abortion in any general fund even if a woman uses her private dollars to pay for the plan.

Senate leadership has devised a strategy of calling for a vote on a motion to table the Nelson amendment. This will require 50 votes. Leadership has identified a series of targeted Senators who need to be called this weekend to urge them to vote for the motion to table the Nelson amendment. If your Senator is one of these, PLEASE CALL HIS/HER WASHINGTON OFFICE THIS WEEKEND!

TARGETED SENATORS: Prior (D-AR), Bayh (D-IN), Dorgan, D-ND, Conrad (D-ND), Byrd (D-WV), Kaufman (D-DE), Landrieu (D-Louisiana), Casey (D-PA) and Kirk (D-MA).

You can reach them through the Capitol switchboard — 202-224-3141.

If these are NOT your Senators, call your Senators’ offices and ask them to pressure these Senators to vote to table the Nelson amendment.

New York’s Senators are Senator Schumer and Senator Gillibrand.
For Senator Schumer:
http://schumer.senate.gov/new_website/contact.cfm
Telephone: 202-228-3027
Fax: 202-224-0420

For Senator Gillibrand:
http://gillibrand.senate.gov/contact/
Telephone: 202-224-4451
Fax: 202:228-0282
We must stop these efforts to hobble what is otherwise an historic step toward quality, affordable health care for all!

If you don’t know who or where to call or email? Visit http://www.senate.gov/.

**Special thanks to Raising Women’s Voices for the Health Care We Need