FACT CHECK: Is Brown pro-choice?
Brown calls himself pro-choice and he generally favors legalized abortions. But Massachusetts Citizens for Life supports him and several abortion rights groups have endorsed Warren. The issue is murky, and activists on both sides cite several issues. Here are a few reported on by colleague Michael Levenson:
Brown cosponsored the Blunt Amendment, which would have allowed health plans and employers to decline to pay for abortions, contraception, or other services based on religious or moral objections.
In 2005, when he was in the state Legislature, Brown sought to allow doctors and nurses to opt out of offering emergency contraception to rape victims if the health care workers had religious objections. Brown later voted for the bill without his changes, meaning doctors and nurses would be required to offer emergency contraception, regardless of their beliefs.
Brown has also taken votes in the state Senate and the US Senate that were applauded by abortion-rights supporters. In 2007, he voted to create a 35-foot buffer zone to keep protesters away from abortion clinics. In 2012, he voted to repeal a law that required women in the military who are victims of rape to pay for abortions at military facilities. He also opposed an effort to cut off federal funding for Planned Parenthood. by Noah Bierman edited by Teresa Hanafin, Boston.com 10/10/2012 11:39:20 PM