-------- Original Message --------
>From: Planned Parenthood Action Network
><actionnetwork at rc.plannedparenthood.org>
>Subject: Don't Relegate Women to a Second-class Status!
>Date: Wed, 24 Apr 2002 20:36:25 -0700 (PDT)
>
>Early last month a federal regulation was proposed to "clarify" the
>definition of "child" under the State Children's Health Insurance
>Program (SCHIP). This regulatory maneuvering is nothing more than a
>thinly disguised attempt to confer personhood on a fetus. Generally
>speaking, only children 18 years and younger are eligible for SCHIP
>benefits. However, if implemented, "child" will now be defined
>as, "...an individual under the age of 19 including the period from
>conception to birth."
>
>The stated reason for "clarifying" the definition of "child" is to
>allow states to provide coverage for prenatal care under the SCHIP
>program. This is bogus reasoning. Prenatal health care benefits
>should be conferred on the pregnant woman, not her fetus. No fetus
>can receive health care services without the involvement of the woman
>carrying it. To suggest that a fetus can qualify for federally
>subsidized health insurance but not the pregnant woman is an
>outrageous affront to all women in the United States.
>
>The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the agency responsible
>for administering the SCHIP program, needs to hear your opposition to
>this egregious and insulting move. To register your outrage, go to
>the following web page:
>http://www.plannedparenthood.org/action/schip.asp. You will find a
>model letter and instructions for filing comments. In order for your
>comments to count, however, you must follow all of the instructions
>provided. And remember, your comments must be RECEIVED no later than
>Monday, May 6, 2002.
>