At a Capitol Hill press conference today, Democrats Tim Ryan and Rosa DeLauro introduced the Preventing Unintended Pregnancies, Reducing the Need for Abortion, and Supporting Pregnant Women Act alongside progressive Christian evangelical leaders and pro-choice activists. The bill comes at a critical juncture in the healthcare reform debate as lawmakers try to determine whether a public option insurance plan would mandate government subsidized abortions.

As HealthcareHorserace.com has been reporting for the past couple of weeks, language in the House and Senate versions of healthcare reform include an undeclared abortion mandate which has fractured the moderate wing of the Democrat party and seriously hampered the chances of passing healthcare reform in 2009. In the past month, 20 pro-life Democrats have called upon the Democrat leadership to include specific language in the reform bills that prevents any federal money from being spent on abortion procedures.

The Ryan-DeLauro bill aims to reduce the number of abortions in America by tackling the problem of unintended pregnancies (through a combination of education and contraception) and supporting pregnant women who want to carry their babies to term - even if they intend to put the child up for adoption. The bill has garnered the support of major players in the progressive evangelical and pro-choice movements.

The bill demonstrates how searching for common ground can lead to higher ground, in ways that both sides of the debate can embrace without compromising their core principles. It could lead to genuine progress in reducing the number of abortions and improving the quality of life for women and children — all by addressing the real issues that often lead to abortion. Abortion is legal in the United States, and although Americans are divided on its moral status, most feel the tragedy of abortion and believe that we currently have far too many for a healthy society. (From How to Win a Culture War by Sojourners editor-in-chief Jim Wallis)

Reps. Ryan and DeLauro have demonstrated how reaching across the divide to find common-ground solutions to prevent unintended pregnancy is possible; their bill includes a number of positive proposals to improve women’s access to contraception and to support teen-pregnancy-prevention efforts. We also support the bill’s aim to ensure that women who choose to carry their pregnancies to term are given the options and resources necessary to guarantee a healthy pregnancy.  This approach contrasts greatly with the divisive and inflammatory rhetoric we see from too many lawmakers and organizations that oppose a woman’s right to choose and refuse even to support access to birth control. (From a statement by Nancy Keenan, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America, and Kellie Copeland, executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice Ohio)

The bill is being hailed as a “common ground” solution because, while both Democrats, Ryan is a member of the Congressional Pro-Life Caucus and DeLauro is a member of the Congressional Pro-Choice Caucus. But, pro-life advocates and conservatives caution that this bill is not the cease fire its supporters make it out to be. In fact, rumors abound that Ryan was excommunicated from the national advisory board of Democrats for Life of America (DFLA) - which Ryan referred to as a “fringe group” on Monday - over the inclusion of contraception in the bill forcing DFLA to counter with a post on its website saying the group does in fact support the use of contraception and dismissed Ryan for his voting record on abortion itself.

“DFLA gave Congressman Ryan ample opportunities to prove he’s committed to protecting life, but he has turned his back on the community at every turn,” reported DFLA Executive Director Kristen Day, who said Ryan’s voting record had become more and more pro-abortion in the last year. (Quote taken from The Christian Post)

At issue is the fact that while Ryan and DeLauro say their intent is to reduce the number of abortions in America, their bill would funnel millions in taxpayer dollars to what Democrats refer to as “essential community providers” such as Planned Parenthood. Without language specifically delineating that federal money can be used for contraception but not for abortions.

“President Obama and liberals in Congress are feeling the heat from pro-lifers over the massive health care bill which includes abortion mandates and funding. The timing of this bill appears to be an attempt to distract people from the larger bill that will impose the Freedom of Choice Act by stealth. But pro-lifers are not fooled — a vote for either Ryan/DeLauro or the health care bill is a vote to increase abortions.” (From statement by Concerned Women for America President Wendy Wright)

In an interview with HealthcareHorserace.com, conservative thought leader Grover Norquist acknowledges that the bill could provide cover for pro-life Democrats in Congress.

“The question is, once the government takes over healthcare, do you believe anything like that survives? But, I think it would provide some cover (to pro-life Democrats), yes.”