By: Cecile Richards, President Planned Parenthood Federation of America
Last week, the Senate rejected the Blunt amendment, a measure that would have allowed any employer to deny women who work for them insurance coverage for any essential health benefit, including birth control, for any moral or religious reason. After weeks of debate and an enormous outcry from Planned Parenthood supporters nationwide, the message is clear: birth control is basic health care, and your medical decisions should be between you and your doctor.
This is a huge victory for women's health, and I’m pleased to say that Senator Conrad voted to defend access to affordable birth control. Please take a moment to thank Sen. Conrad for voting to protect women’s health and ask them to keep up the fight.
Sen. Hoeven pushed one of the most out-of-touch attacks on women's health we've seen in a long time. I'm pleased to say that one North Dakota senator, Sen. Conrad, did the right thing and voted to defend access to affordable birth control.
The fight to protect and expand women's access to basic care isn't over, and our opponents aren’t giving up. They showed that when they pushed this egregious legislation to give employers the power to deny women coverage for birth control (and they're pushing similar bills in the House of Representatives). They showed it when they held a hearing on the issue and refused to allow women on the opening panel. They are showing it in state after state with a constant stream of cruel, extreme, dangerous legislation that cuts women off from basic health care.
That's why I'm so glad to know that you stand with us, day after day. We need your strength and your voice to protect women's health. And we need allies, like Sen. Conrad, who did the right thing and rejected the Blunt amendment. Send a quick note to say thanks, and to keep up the good work.
Thank you for your support and your determination and for everything you do for the women, men, and teens that rely on Planned Parenthood every day.
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