Stand against the Title X gag rule, insufficient contraceptive access, and discrimination in health care: Your civic action to-do list for 7-15-19
3. On Thursday, a federal appeals court (stacked with conservative appointees) left women and families in the lurch. Its verdict upheld the enforcement of the Title X gag rule (which strips health providers of federal funding if they inform patients about abortion services) and denies providers emergency relief from this public health calamity. As the courts continue to undercut reproductive freedom, we need congressional action to protect it.
In a nutshell: The 4 million Americans who receive birth control, cancer screenings, STI testing and treatment, and other reproductive health services from Title X clinics – primarily women of color, low-income women, and young women – will suffer from the Trump administration’s infringement on women’s health care. It’s time for the Senate to follow the House of Representatives’ lead and pass legislation that blocks the Title X gag rule.
Take Action: Tell your Senators that families across the country count on Title X clinics for comprehensive health care!
2. Millions of women in the U.S., including women who serve in the military and their dependents, lack sufficient access to, and coverage of, their contraceptives. The least we can do for the women and military families who make sacrifices for our country is provide them with better health insurance. Currently, military insurance (TRICARE) does not measure up to civilian contraception coverage.
In a nutshell: Last week, the House included H.R. 2091, the Access to Contraception for Servicemembers and Dependents Act, as part of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020. The bill ensures that non-active duty servicewomen and military dependents have access to copay-free birth control, including counseling, insertion, and removal; guarantees access to emergency contraception for survivors of sexual assault; and enhances family planning education.
1. Exercising your right to reproductive autonomy should not make you a target for discrimination in this country, nor should your gender identity. Nevertheless, under the Trump administration, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is actively promoting prejudice against women who have had abortions and LGBTQ Americans.
In a nutshell: Last month, HHS proposed a rule to allow providers to discriminate against patients based on abortion history and gender identity. The rule will beget misogyny and transphobia, not positive health outcomes.
Take Action: Submit a public comment and take a stand against this unjust rule before it's too late. We must fight to dismantle obstacles to health care access, and cannot allow the administration to erect more barriers. Check out JWI’s resources on how to submit a comment and why it’s important.