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Cut the crap, Mr. Deal

The B.S. that goes on in Congress is enough to choke a horse. I'm appalled at Rep. Nathan Deal's attempt to railroad the Melanie Blocker-Stokes Act at yesterday's House subcommittee hearing. He could very well co-opt, delay, or kill this bill, all in the interest of abortion politics.

In an obscene waste of taxpayer time and money, the ranking member decided to divert attention away from PPD by placing the subject of abortion-related depression at the center of his opening remarks. Ironically, Deal is a sponsor of the Blocker-Stokes Act - but it appears that he plans to use HR 20 as a staging ground for another agenda entirely. At best, it's a distraction from the issue of PPD. At worst... It's the lowest form of Capitol Hill slime.

Here's CQ HealthBeat and Kaiser's coverage of what went down:

The House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee on Tuesday debated legislation (HR 20) that would aim to identify causes and treatments for postpartum depression, and some Republicans on the panel indicated that the measure should be amended to include language on "postabortion depression.

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Bobby Rush (D-Ill.), would "expand and intensify" research at the National Institute of Mental Health and other agencies on postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis. The bill also would provide grants through HHS for the "establishment, operation and coordination of effective and cost-efficient systems for the delivery of essential services" for women with the conditions and their families (HR 20 text, 5/2). Rush has been working for passage of the bill since 2001.

Rep. Nathan Deal (R-Ga.) -- the ranking member on the subcommittee and co-sponsor of the legislation -- said in his opening statement that postpartum depression "has consequences not only for the woman but for the child and the family as a whole." He added that more should be known about all aspects of depression, including depression that might occur after undergoing an abortion.

Deal's reference to abortion "triggered a rebuke" from Rep. Diana DeGette (D-Colo.), who called the reference "offensive," CQ HealthBeat reports. DeGette said that postabortion depression has not been recognized as a clinical condition by established medical professionals, adding that U.S. women have waited too long for action on postpartum depression to have the hearing diverted into a "political theatre."

Deal cited witness testimony from women who said they developed depression after undergoing abortion. He also said that he would not attempt to modify the bill to include research on the condition, but that his 'Republican colleagues might do so.'

Let me be frank: Thousands of new mothers suffering terribly from this misunderstood, grossly under-diagnosed illness need HELP NOW. Help that can be greatly facilitated by the federal government's funding of new research and public education. A new mama struggling in the depths of darkness - and a newborn baby who needs immediate care and affection - doesn't give a rat's ass about any other issue. She's not a part of your political game. She needs HELP for the condition of PPD, and she needs it NOW.

Deal, or no deal? If you want to assist Rep. Nathan Deal in focusing his attention on the issue at hand... Click here to contact his Washington, DC office, or call them at 202.225.5211. Let Deal's staff know that when he tries to railroad a hearing on a public health policy crucial to women, babies, and families, he doesn't speak for you. And you're not buyin' what he's sellin'.

Posted by Sarah M. on May 2, 2007 12:12 PM |

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Comments

The following is my comment to Rep. Deal:

Hi, I am a supporter of the Melanie Blocker Stokes Bill (in fact I spoke at a press release in DC, along with Mrs. Codey, a couple years ago). I wanted to make a comment on the phrase "postabortion depression." There is no recognized illness called "postabortion depression." Furthermore, "Postpartum" encompases any termination of a pregnancy - whether it is an abortion, a live birth, miscarriage, etc.
If we went to the logical conclusion of using the term "postabortion depression" it would open the door to other terms: "postadoption depression" "poststillbirth depression" "postmultiplebirth depression" "posttramaticbirth depression" -- you get the idea.
I support studying postpartum depression in post-abortion women (as well as some of the other afore-mentioned catagories). However, I do not think it will serve this bill or the women with perinatal mood disorders to add a multitude of narrower catagories, or even just one divisive one.
Please lets fight this battle for passage of this bill for the good of ALL women who are suffering postpartum.
There are many other related issues that also need to be addressed but we cannot tackle them all at once.
Thank you for reading this.
I'm a survivor of postpartum psychosis and depression.
Teresa M. Twomey, JD

Posted by: Teresa Twomey | May 2, 2007 02:44 PM

Thanks, again, Sarah, for this important heads up. I will do my best to spread the word...Karen Kleiman

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