Finally, an unborn child’s voice will be heard — at least, it’s a step in the right direction. Effective Nov. 1, the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCRIP) will be expanding rights to include the fetus.
Now, before anyone starts going off about how I could feel this way, given that I’m a woman, too, and it is my body. Well, think on this for a moment — it would also be my baby.
I am not by any means saying that a woman does not have the right to get an abortion — after all, it’s her own body. However, it would never be something I’d do myself. A child is a life, from conception to birth, and no one is ever going to make me believe differently.
I agree with the proposal that “amends the definition of a covered child to include the period from conception to birth.” Some argue that by giving the unborn child coverage it takes away the protection of the pregnant woman. I don’t see the logic in this thinking. Women are
already covered during their pregnancy under most insurance plans. If women don’t have insurance, they can obtain the Oregon Health Plan for a low co-pay; which is based on their family income. Other states provide similar coverage.
The coverage for everyone is sorely lacking — not just women who are pregnant. Everyone deserves coverage, including “unborn children.”
Many can and will argue that a baby is just a lump of tissue until it’s born, and that it has no life. I don’t see how they can say that. At just 28 days of life in the womb, the fetus has already formed a brain, nervous system and a heartbeat. If you don’t consider that a life, then what is?
Yes, this proposal is fraught with legal and practical problems, but at least it’s a first step. I know some may argue that it’s just a first step to lead to the downfall of the Roe v. Wade decision because it defines unborn children as persons. I could see where this could be a concern. By identifying the fetus as an “unborn child” under health care coverage, it legally signifies the fetus is a living being — which could in turn be used by the government to outlaw abortion.
The way I see it, the government just needs to make the wording a little tighter. For instance, they need to say that abortion is the exclusion to this rule, such as is stated in the Violence Against Unborn Children Act. This gives identity to the unborn child, but does so to ensure people who assault pregnant women can be held accountable for the death of the unborn child, as well. However, this specifically excludes abortion.
I would like to see health care doing a little more for coverage of abortions so women who can’t afford one are better provided for. Granted there are some insurance companies that offer coverage for abortions, but they don’t advertise that. Chances are that same insurance coverage isn’t the same one that college students use. The Family Planning Expansion Program is a grant with the government set up for more of a contraceptive measure to help prevent unwanted pregnancies.
We are one step closer to giving identities to the lost faces of unborn children. I hope the proposal is a success because I don’t believe babies are just a lump of tissue. They have an identity the day they are conceived — they just don’t have a name. Give them a name.