On Friday, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops met with leaders in the House of Representatives in their bid to eliminate women's access to abortion care under health care reform. And it WORKED. Opponents of legal abortion and health care for women are emboldened by Saturday night's vote and ready to bring their ban on abortion to the Senate floor. - ProsePetals (aka Denise)

While there are some who are satisfied with the health care reform bill that passed in the House of Representatives late Saturday night, Cecile Richards is not one of them. (and on this count, neither am I...) When it came down to it, Congress passed a bill that will undercut women's access to comprehensive health care. - ProsePetals (aka Denise)

Despite hundreds of thousands of voters who called on members of Congress to include women's health care in health care reform, the bill that passed Saturday night includes a ban on private abortion coverage for millions of women and would prohibit it in the new "public option." - ProsePetals (aka Denise)

Now it's our turn. And this time we are going to use our strongest weapon: the White House. That's why, today, we are calling on President Obama to ensure that lawmakers, especially those in his own party, support health care reform that protects women's access to reproductive care as the next round of debate and voting occurs in the Senate. - ProsePetals (aka Denise)

President Obama campaigned on a promise to put reproductive health care at the center of his reform plan. Supporters of women's health voted for him and contributed to his campaign in record numbers — and now it's time for the president to reaffirm his commitment to women's health, and demand that Congress reject any bill that leaves women worse off under health care reform than they are today. Take a moment right now to tell President Obama that we need him to stand with us — in both his words and in his actions. - ProsePetals (aka Denise)

Please click the link above, and take action in support of real healthcare reform that does not detrimentally impact women. - ProsePetals (aka Denise)

It is beyond disgusting that religious beliefs are dictating law-making. - Rene Wirtz

agreed. I love the idea in this thread: http://friendfeed.com/us-poli... - ProsePetals (aka Denise)

Make him get the "credits" for providing equal health care to men and women *grin* - Rene Wirtz

But seriously, if your religious beliefs prevent you from having an abortion, it doesn't mean that you should force that belief onto others who would like that choice to be available. That is offensive oppression. - Rene Wirtz

Agreed. Whole-heartedly, and that is exactly the brand of exceptionalistic mentality that I take such incredible personal offense to. - ProsePetals (aka Denise)

Wasn't that meeting a violation of the constitution? What about separation of church and state? I can't believe that this was not, in anyway, questioned by anyone in congress! - Helen Sventitsky

I'd say it was a clear violation of the constitution, but as it stands now, most politicians are in some way, shape or form in the pockets of religious dogma. - Rene Wirtz

I'm sure there will be some technicality by which they (both sides) will "excuse it" -- *rolls eyes* -- but to answer your question, I believe it is a violation of church & state, yes. - ProsePetals (aka Denise)