To the editor:

The first step in a thoughtful discussion is an agreement of the definition of terms. I differ with Ms. Wiederhorn, attorney for Trust Women of Wichita, when she calls abortion “health care” (Dec. 15 Journal-World). First, pregnancy is NOT an illness. Complications such as an ectopic pregnancy might arise, which would need medical treatment, but for most women, it should be received with thanks as a gift from the Creator, not an illness. Second, it has been several years since health insurance provided to state employees has covered elective abortion as a medical event. In fact, most insurance companies recognize that early prenatal care will provide the best chances for a good outcome, so those costs are covered 100 percent throughout the pregnancy. Therefore, it looks like most insurance companies do not think abortion is health care. Ms. Wiederhorn, please get off the “abortion is health care” bandwagon, because it’s not honest or tenable.

Verna Froese,

Lawrence