If one thing has been clear in the debate over the Stupak amendment, it has been that Chris Matthews has no idea what the amendment is about. No matter how many guests he has on who explain the amendment to him, he still seems convinced that the Stupak amendment would simply extend legislation prohibiting federal funding for abortion to current healthcare reform legislation. Otherwise, how can you explain exchanges like this, in which Matthews allows Stupak to claim that his amendment is a continuation of the “current law,” which wouldn't restrict “insurance policies or individuals from using their own money to get abortion service?”

Well, maybe this will help Matthews understand how Stupak's amendment goes far beyond the status quo. TPM is reporting that a new study by the George Washington University School of Public Health finds that, in TPM's words, “The Stupak amendment to the House health care bill--which will prevent millions of women from buying health insurance policies that cover abortion--is likely to have consequences that reach far beyond its supposedly intended scope.” Here's the key takeaway from the study's findings: The “treatment exclusions required under the Stupak/Pitts Amendment will have an industry-wide effect, eliminating coverage of medically indicated abortions over time for all women, not only those whose coverage is derived through a health insurance exchange.”

Is that clear enough for you Matthews?

According to the study, the Stupak amendment also “will work to defeat the development of a supplemental coverage market for medically indicated abortions” because in “any supplemental coverage arrangement, it is essential that the supplemental coverage be administered in conjunction with basic coverage. This intertwined administration approach is barred under Stupak/Pitts because of the prohibition against financial comingling.” Furthermore, the study found that “because supplemental coverage must of necessity commingle funds with basic coverage, the impact of Stupak/Pitts on states' ability to offer supplemental Medicaid coverage to women insured through a subsidized exchange plan is in doubt.” Sounds like a change in the status quo to me.