National Women's Law Center - My Health Is Not Up for Debate: Protect Reproductive Health


	Your Voice is Crucial



	Tell HHS all women deserve access to birth control without a co-pay!

Forty-seven years ago today, the Supreme Court’s landmark decision in Griswold v. Connecticut established a right to use contraceptives without interference from the state. It’s hard to believe that nearly a half century later, politicians are still trying to erect barriers to women’s access to affordable birth control.

Tell the Department of Health and Human Services that all women, no matter where they work or go to school, need access to birth control without co-pays or burdensome obstacles.

Last summer, we secured a big victory when all FDA-approved contraceptives were added to the list of preventive health services that all new health insurance plans must cover without a co-pay or deductible. Unfortunately, 335,000 houses of worship received an exemption from the requirement, leaving their female employees without access to this critical benefit.

Now the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has proposed an “accommodation” for other religiously affiliated organizations, which would shift the responsibility of providing contraceptive coverage without cost sharing to the insurance companies. HHS is asking for comments and we must make sure that any “accommodation” does not put additional hurdles in the path of women seeking contraception. Employees of religiously affiliated organizations must have access to contraception to the same extent as employees of other organizations and companies.

It’s critical that your voice be heard — submit your comments to HHS today and say that all women must be able to obtain contraceptive coverage without co-pays in the simplest way possible, no matter where they work or go to school.

It’s only by raising our voices together that we can protect women’s health. Thank you for all you do.

Sincerely,

Judy Waxman
Vice President for Health and Reproductive Rights
National Women’s Law

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Youtube – Korean Americans – Women’s Health – President Obama

06/08/2012 Nativegrl77

President Obama Holds a Press Conference on the Economy

President Obama calls on Congress to pass the bipartisan, paid-for ideas that he proposed last year to put construction workers back to work upgrading our roads and bridges, teachers back in the classroom educating our kids and police and firefighters back on the job keeping our communities safe, and addresses the state of the economy, including the situation in Europe, which continues to pose headwinds to our recovery here at home. June 8, 2012.More

President Obama Speaks on College Affordability

President Obama calls on Congress to stop interest rates from doubling on student loans, and discusses his Administration’s initiatives to keep college affordable for students and their families. June 7, 2012.More

West Wing Week: 06/08/12 or “Roll Up Our Sleeves and Never Quit”

This week, the President traveled to Honeywell International in Minnesota, to highlight efforts to help veterans find good paying jobs, urged Congress to support the Paycheck Fairness Act and to not let interest rates double on student loans on July 1st. That’s June 1st to June 7th or “Roll up our sleeves and never quit.”More

Women’s Health Town Hall

U.S. Secretary of Health & Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius, senior White House Officials, and a diverse array of media, organizations, groups and stakeholders engage in an open dialogue about women’s health care and the Affordable Care Act. June 7, 2012.More

Korean American Leaders Briefing Part 1

The White House Office of Public Engagement and The Council of Korean Americans host a briefing for Korean American community leaders to discuss issues of importance to the Korean American community, including foreign policy, immigration, human rights, small business, education, civil rights, and trade. June 7, 2012.More

Korean American Leaders Briefing Part 2

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a message from AL Franken … Repeal DOMA

06/08/2012 Nativegrl77

Hear that sound? That’s momentum — our fight for marriage equality is building steam.

We knew the Defense of Marriage Act was discriminatory. We knew it was wrong. But an appeals court in Boston just ruled that it’s unconstitutional, too.

Meanwhile, in the wake of President Obama’s endorsement of same-sex marriage, polls show that more and more Americans are ready for a country where the law treats all loving, committed relationships equally.

And here in Minnesota, surveys show that we have a great chance to defeat an anti-equality constitutional amendment — a victory that would be the first of its kind if we can pull it off.

This is the perfect time to help us keep building momentum by signing on to my petition to overturn the Defense of Marriage Act — click here to add your name today!

We still have a long way to go. Change is hard — even without right-wing groups spending lots of money to stop it from happening. We’re fighting uphill — here in Minnesota and around the country.

But the momentum is on our side. It’s just a matter of time before we end marriage discrimination in America. Well, time and hard work.

A generation from now, marriage equality will be the law of the land. And you’ll be able to look back on this moment and know that you helped to build momentum in this fight — that, because of you, America is a fairer country.

Click here to help me fight for marriage equality today!

Thanks,

P.S.: My ‘extra ask in the P.S.’ is even more important when we’re fighting for equality. Join in the fight to end DOMA today.

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The Amazon approaches its moment of truth … a message from Greenpeace Activist

06/08/2012 Nativegrl77 4 Comments

I’ve written a few blogs since I’ve been on the Rainbow Warrior, but my time in Brazil has given me enough material for thousands more. I worked as a journalist before Greenpeace and that is how I have approached this trip, trying to tell you the stories that happen every day in this magical country and do some justice to the people who live in it.

Today I produced a more personal account of my work as well as my impressions of this truly unique place. I wanted to do this because on Friday the President of Brazil will make a decision that could affect this amazing rainforest for decades to come. I believe that the people I have met here want the world to know what is at stake, so I tried to explain how the past few weeks have affected me.

The Rainbow Warrior sails through the Amazonas river.

As I’ve learned, changes to Brazil’s forest code could be one of the worst things to have happened to the Amazon for years. I also know that the concept of zero deforestation is tantalizingly close to becoming a reality.

I hope you enjoy the film, but more importantly I ask you take action with us.

Together we can do it. Together we can all save the Amazon.

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State Tabacco Taxes – done right it can be a win win solution

06/08/2012 Nativegrl77

U.S. State and Local Issues

State Tobacco Taxes

A Win-Win-Win Solution

Tobacco tax increases offer a win-win-win solution for states, especially as they face a severe fiscal crisis and work to balance budgets while preserving essential public services.

Health Win: Tobacco tax increases are one of the most effective ways to reduce smoking and other tobacco use, especially among kids. Every 10 percent increase in cigarette prices reduces youth smoking by about seven percent and total cigarette consumption by about four percent.

Budget Win: Every state that has significantly increased its cigarette tax has enjoyed substantial increases in revenue, even while reducing smoking. Higher tobacco taxes also save money by reducing tobacco-related health care costs, including Medicaid expenses. States can realize even greater health benefits and cost savings by allocating some of the revenue to programs that prevent children from smoking and help smokers quit.

Political Win: National and state polls consistently have found overwhelming public support for tobacco tax increases. Polls also show that, when it comes to balancing budgets, voters prefer raising tobacco taxes to other tax increases or cutting crucial programs such as education and public safety.

Progress, But More Work to Do

In recent years, almost every state and the federal government have increased tobacco taxes. The average state cigarette tax is currently $1.46 per pack, but rates vary widely from 17 cents in Missouri to $4.35 in New York.

On April 1, 2009, the federal cigarette tax increased by 62 cents, to $1.01 per pack.

Every state and the federal government can achieve significant health and revenue gains by further increasing tobacco taxes. Governments can raise even more revenue — and reduce all tobacco use — by increasing taxes on other tobacco products, such as smokeless tobacco and cigars, to parallel the rate on cigarettes. This discourages all tobacco use.