The choice of an apparent paragon of fecundity for the Republican VP (and the attention given to her pregnant teenage daughter), touch gingerly on the abortion issue, just a small point on the reproductive freedom spectrum that spans from adoption to stem cell research. It highlights the Republican position against abortion: overturning Roe. v. Wade is at the very top of McCain’s “Human Dignity and the Sanctity of Life” agenda, which he characterizes as “only one step in the long path toward ending abortion.” So Republicans will force all women, even rape victims, to bear unwanted children, but what about people who want to have babies?
As it stands, insurance coverage for infertility treatment is non-existent or very limited. On June 27, 2007, Representative Anthony Weiner (D-New York) introduced the Family Building Act of 2007 (H.R. 2892), which would require insurance coverage for the treatment of infertility. It has made no progress since, and will have to be reintroduced once the new Congress is in session. Of its approximately twenty cosponsors, all are Democrats. Wonder how Republicans can be against “family building”? As a staff member from Weiner’s office explained to me, Republican lack of support is based on reluctance to challenge the health insurance industry. [RESOLVE, the infertility support organization, has advocated this bill. A handful of states already offer some limited insurance coverage for fertility.]
Infertility is a public health issue (one of its many causes is sexually transmitted disease). Obama supports biomedical research and NIH funding, sex education, and increased access to contraception. McCain does not address these issues. [The candidate’s positions appear in detail on their Web sites: John McCain on Health Care, and on Human Dignity and the Sanctity of Life. Barack Obama on Health Care and Women.]
Infertility is a disease that affects millions of men and women, no matter their income, class, education, or politics. Adoption, which McCain offers as the abortion alternative, is not a cure. Although neither candidate addresses the issue directly, it appears likely that infertile couples seeking treatment will fare better with a Democrat in the White House.
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