Presidential Candidate Vilsack Calls For Boosted Support Of Prenatal Care, Family Planning Programs

Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack (D), who recently announced his candidacy for president in 2008, on Monday in West Palm Beach, Fla., conveyed a "new message" about abortion to about 100 Democrats, the AP/Gainesville Sun reports. Vilsack, who supports abortion rights, said the Democratic Party needs to encourage adoption and support programs for prenatal care, family planning, child care and health insurance. "When you phrase [the abortion-rights issue] that way, you send a message to the life community that you respect but don't necessarily always agree with their position," Vilsack said, adding, "And you begin to have a conversation about issues where there might be consensus as opposed to division" (Farrington, AP/Gainesville Sun, 12/11).

"Reprinted with permission from http://www.kaisernetwork.org. You can view the entire Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery at http://www.kaisernetwork.org/dailyreports/healthpolicy. The Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report is published for kaisernetwork.org, a free service of The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation . © 2005 Advisory Board Company and Kaiser Family Foundation. All rights reserved.