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Hoeffel comes out against Stupak amendment

Hoeffel comes out against Stupak amendment

Continuing to position himself to the left of his primary opponents, Montgomery County Commissioner Joe Hoeffel on Thursday said he opposed an amendment to the House health care bill that restricted abortion rights for women in federally-subsidized insurance plans.

Hoeffel, a Democratic candidate for governor, has sought to portray himself as the most progressive candidate on a litany of social issues, especially abortion rights. Whereas Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato has said he wouldn’t sign any law changing current state abortion laws, Hoeffel has said that doesn’t go far enough, arguing that access to abortion needs to be eased.

While the governor would have no direct power over the health care legislation moving through Congress, Hoeffel said the amendment, known as the Stupak amendment, “punishes women—particularly low and middle-income women,” and he called on Senators Arlen Specter and Bob Casey to make sure it doesn’t end up in any final bill.

“I believe that decisions about abortion—a legal health care procedure—should be made by a woman and her doctor,” Hoeffel said in a statement. “The government should not be involved. As Governor, I will speak up about the negative effects of important federal legislation on the commonwealth, and I’m saying now that health care reform with the Stupak amendment is a bad deal for Pennsylvania women.”

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November 12, 2009 at 11:30 am

--Dan Hirschhorn

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  1. Progressive Pragmatist

    Nov 13th, 2009

    Just the latest stop on Joe Hoeffel’s “Un-electable Express.”

  2. Kathy Black

    Nov 13th, 2009

    Glad to hear Hoeffel is speaking out on this. It’s one thing to continue federal policy preventing tax dollars from being spent on abortion services. But this legislation will prevent some women who have private plans from accessing insured abortions as well. If the Republican Party can include abortion coverage in its plan, they shouldn’t be demanding expansion of restrictions for women in any plan. Joe is definitely electable. His polling looks very good.

  3. Jess G.

    Nov 13th, 2009

    It’s refreshing to have a candidate who is willing to speak out on this important issue and stand up for this important right. Go Joe!

  4. Jim

    Nov 14th, 2009

    Does this clown know that PA was rated the no.1 pro-life state in the country last year? Does he have any understanding about Pennsylvanians and their views on abortion? I guess he doesn’t. This philly hack needs to learn what the rest of the state is all about before he steps up to run for governor.

  5. karen bojar

    Nov 14th, 2009

    Thanks to Joe Hoeffel for speaking out on this issue. This amendment, if included in the final bill, is a real step backward for women.

    Joe Hoeffel has always been a strong supporter of women’s rights. This is not just a matter of “positioning” for him –but a matter of deeply held beliefs. He has my vote!

  6. GOPHAWK

    Nov 14th, 2009

    Stupak is a change in law. Where does Onorato stand on Stupak? Would he opt out of health reform if this provision is in there? If so, wouldn’t he be breaking his promise not to opt out? Would love to see Onorato wriggle out of this box!

  7. GOPHAWK

    Nov 14th, 2009

    I also want to point out that Hoeffel has been very clever to create this box situation for Onorato which Onorato basically created for himself with his earlier grand-standing.

  8. College Student

    Nov 15th, 2009

    A candidate declaring his beliefs and taking a moral stand for something that may hurt him politically? That sounds like the change that I believe in. I would work my ass off for this guy.

    Hope everyone else posting here is willing to stand up and do their part for someone rather than simply typing away our chances at the governorship.

  9. David Diano

    Nov 15th, 2009

    PA was rated the no.1 pro-life state in the country last year? Really? By whom?

    A group calling itself “Americans United for Life” did rank Pennsylvania 1st. Just another off the wall pro-life group looking to restrict women’s rights.

    They created some point-scoring system that involves nonsense like performing ultra-sounds and the propaganda falsely linking abortion with breast cancer, along with other delays, deterrents and mental coercion.
    It’s a sad day for Pennsylvania to be ranked on a list near regressive places like:
    2. Louisiana
    3. South Dakota
    4. Oklahoma
    5. Mississippi
    6. Texas
    7. North Dakota
    8. Nebraska

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