NOW Outraged at House Vote on Abortion Coverage -- Women's Rights Traded Away

For Immediate Release Contact: Mai Shiozaki, 202-628-8669, ext. 116; cell 202-641-1906 NOW Outraged at House Vote on Abortion Coverage -- Women's Rights Traded Away July 31, 2009 NOW is outraged to learn that the House Energy and Commerce Committee passed an amendment excluding abortion services from the "essential" health benefits package as defined by the government. Under this amendment, subsidies used to help pay insurance premiums for low-income people could not be used for abortion services. The New York Times reports that "insurers must use money from private sources to pay for any abortions." "Reproductive health care is a fundamental right. Any health care plan that does not cover the full range of reproductive services, including abortion, discriminates against women," said NOW President Terry O'Neill. "Once again, our representatives are giving in to the right wing by trading away women's rights. Well, I have a message for them, our reproductive rights are not theirs to give away." O'Neill noted that a majority of voters support coverage for abortion services, with only about a quarter opposed to using tax dollars to pay for abortion. In addition, a recent study found that most people in the U.S. with employer-based insurance currently have coverage for abortion. "Don't low-income people deserve the same level of coverage as other people in this country?" asked O'Neill. "Our lawmakers should be ashamed of themselves for perpetuating class-based and gender-based biases as they attempt to 'reform' our broken health care system." Posted by: Jerin Alam National NOW Young Feminist Task Force National Organization for Women (NOW)

Funny Yet Smart Feminist Sitcom Idea

I just watched this, and LOVE it!

Blogulator - Sitcom Idea # 2
Sean from the Pop Culture Blogulator presents another idea for a hit sitcom. Enjoy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14DZsxgP_SE

Posted by:
Jerin Alam
National NOW Young Feminist Task Force
National Organization for Women (NOW)

Single-Payer Health Care Would Benefit Women, Promote Equality and Justice for All

	For Immediate Release Contact: Mai Shiozaki, 202-628-8669, ext. 116; cell 202-641-1906 Single-Payer Health Care Would Benefit Women Promote Equality and Justice for All Statement of NOW President Terry O'Neill July 30, 2009 Health care is a fundamental human right, and ensuring access to quality, affordable and comprehensive health care within the United States is a moral imperative confronting our legislators today. Since 1993, the National Organization for Women has been a leader in the campaign for single-payer health care in the U.S. It is, as President Obama noted last week, the only way to ensure coverage for everyone. Single-payer health care is particularly important for women. Women bear the brunt of this nation's broken health care system, and it's coming at us from multiple directions. Women are disproportionately under-insured in the U.S. because we tend to be clustered in part-time, non-union and other jobs that do not provide health care. When we do seek coverage on the open market, we are often charged more than men, even while many of us are denied maternity care. And because statistics show that women remain paid between 78 and 58 cents on the dollar compared to men, even those of us who are fortunate enough to receive employer-sponsored insurance are less likely to be able to pay premiums. Moreover, the burden of caring for the sick has increasingly shifted from health care professionals to family caregivers. As insurance companies force hospitals to turn out patients shortly after major surgery, patients are sent home to be cared for by unpaid family members, predominantly women. The best way to correct these problems is to enact single-payer health care, covering all women regardless of their employment status, immigration status or ability to pay. And while covering everyone, single-payer health care would also be significantly more cost-effective than the system we have now, because removing the profit-seeking insurance companies from the equation eliminates a huge portion of health care costs. Despite what some of our elected officials might think, any public plan must cover all reproductive health services. Women have a right to full access to the complete range of reproductive health care services. This includes HIV/STD testing, maternity care, pre- and post-natal care, contraception and abortion. The greed and dominance of the private health insurance industry is both a symptom of and a major contributor to the massive inequality that is entrenched in our society. Single-payer health care promotes health and economic justice for all.

NOW.org | Press Room | View Online | Subscribe | Unsubscribe, Edit Profile Posted by: Jerin Alam National NOW Young Feminist Task Force National Organization for Women (NOW)

Action Alert: Urge Representatives Today to Support Single-Payer!

If you are having trouble viewing this email, please read it online.

Support NOW's Work |	July 28, 2009	| Tell a Friend

Action Needed Background All NOW Actions More about Health		Urge House Members Today to Support Single-Payer The House of Representative may vote this week on its bill (America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009, H.R. 3200) to reform our dysfunctional health care system. Act NOW to keep state single-payer options in this important piece of health care reform legislation! Tell your representatives to support single-payer health care After taking action, please support our work! Action Needed: Thanks to your recent calls, this important amendment was adopted in committee. Now the challenge is to keep it in the larger House health care reform bill, H.R. 3200, when it goes to a floor vote. Your calls and emails to House members are critical to support retention of a state single-payer option in health care reform legislation, so take action now! Background: On July 17, the Education and Labor Committee approved an amendment offered by Rep. Dennis Kucinich, (D-Ohio) to H.R. 3200 that would allow states to pass and implement single-payer plans. The amendment provides for automatic waivers from the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), which might otherwise prevent states from enacting single-payer plans. This was a huge victory for single-payer but if we are to build on this victory, we must act now. The Kucinich amendment must be retained in the final version of the House bill, H.R. 3200, and perhaps made even stronger. There is no time to waste. Pressure is needed directly on those members who have the ability to act in support of the amendment's retention. The National Organization for Women adopted a resolution in 1993 that supports a single-payer type approach (Medicare for all) as the best way to control costs and cover everyone. Women, especially, will benefit from a single-payer system because all medically-necessary services are covered and the single-payer system's approach is the only way to bring costs under control. No up-front deductibles would be required and no exclusions for reproductive health care services would be allowed. Further news: An amendment to be offered by Rep. Anthony Weiner in committee that would establish a national single-payer system (H.R. 676) may take place before the floor vote, though we are not sure when and if this may come up. Insiders believe that the national single-payer plan has little chance of being adopted in a floor vote. However, if action in the House speeds up this week before August recess, we do want to make sure the state single-payer option is retained. As we celebrate Medicare's 44th Anniversary on Thursday, July 30, join us in taking action to support single-payer as the way to provide health care for all and promote economic justice in our nation. and then
SUPPORT NOW: Support NOW's Work for Equal Rights | Join NOW | Monthly Giving | Catalog | Shop Amazon TAKE ACTION: Get Involved | Find Your Nearest Chapter | Tell a Friend | Learn More LISTS: Unsubscribe, Edit Profile | Subscribe | All Lists Posted by: Jerin Alam National NOW Young Feminist Task Force National Organization for Women (NOW)

Judiciary Committee Sees the Wisdom in Voting for Sotomayor

	For Immediate Release Contact: Mai Shiozaki, 202-628-8669, ext. 116; cell 202-641-1906 Judiciary Committee Sees the Wisdom in Voting for Sotomayor NOW applauds the Senate Judiciary Committee's 13 to 6 vote recommending confirmation of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the U.S. Supreme Court. "At the risk of upsetting Senator Sessions, I am pleased that this 'wise Latina' is one step closer to joining Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the high court," said NOW President Terry O'Neill. "As the first Hispanic justice and only the third woman, Judge Sotomayor will add a much needed perspective to a bench dominated by white males." The full Senate is expected to vote on Sotomayor's confirmation by the end of next week. NOW will be watching the vote closely. "Racism and sexism have driven far too much of the public discourse about the superbly qualified Sotomayor, and all the fiery temperaments on display last week during her Senate confirmation hearing -- those outrageous questions and comments -- seemed to belong to privileged white men," said O'Neill. "Sotomayor's impressive experience should guarantee her a strong vote on the floor, and her notable rise to the high court should serve as inspiration to women and girls across the country and around the world."

NOW.org | Press Room | View Online | Subscribe | Unsubscribe, Edit Profile Posted by: Jerin Alam National NOW Young Feminist Task Force National Organization for Women (NOW)

Action Alert: Counter-Protest to Anti-Choice Demonstration

Join Feminist Majority Foundation interns in a non-confrontational counter-protest, tomorrow July 28 at 10:45 A.M., outside Cannon House Office Building. Troy Newman and Operation Rescue are planning to bring their “abortion is not health care” campaign to the Capitol and we will be there to offer a pro-women, pro-choice perspective!

Here are the details:
What: Counter-Protest to Operation Rescue Demonstration
When: Tuesday, July 28th at 10:45 A.M.
Where: Cannon HOB (Corner of Independence and New Jersey Ave.)

Join us and help to fight for reproductive rights to be included in the health care legislation!

Questions call 703-522-2214 and ask to speak with Laura Ponchick or Sarah Hejma.

Posted by:
Jerin Alam
National NOW Young Feminist Task Force
National Organization for Women (NOW)

Volunteer Opportunity: Volunteers for the Adolescent Girls Program

From: Web Manager <webmanager@svfreenyc.org>
To: volunteer-opportunities@lists.svfreenyc.org
Sent: Sunday, July 26, 2009 9:10:37 AM
Subject: Volunteer Opportunity: Volunteers for the Adolescent Girls Program


Job Title:
Volunteers for the Adolescent Girls Program

Organization:
Sauti Yetu Center for African Women

Program:
Adolescent Girls Program

Description:
Greetings,
Sauti Yetu Center for African Women is currently recruiting volunteers for its adolescent girls program. Volunteers will serve as mentors and tutors within the program. We are looking for adult women who can volunteer about an hour per week to mentor, tutor and advocate for an African immigrant girl in the Fall. We will provide training and match them with a young woman at the end of the summer. Please share this information with anyone who might be interested. Further information about this opportunity and the application process is listed below and included as an attachment.
Thank you!

The Girls Empowerment & Leadership Initiative (GELI) is a program of the Sauti Yetu Center for African Women. Its purpose is to offer a leadership development and academic enhancement experience to African immigrant girls that is culturally relevant and gender-sensitive. Participants are introduced to the program during the summer through a 9-week summer leadership development group that focuses on cultural negotiation and self-esteem building using the theater arts. During the academic year, we offer specialized support to African immigrant girls to enhance their academic opportunities. Specifically, students are assigned an Academic Enhancement Coach and have the opportunity to attend weekly TESOL Power Reading/ Writing Workshops.


The Academic Enhancement Coach is responsible for:
--------------------------------------------------

* Serving as a role model to program participants

* Tutoring the student in school subjects for at least one hour per week

* Assisting in the development of an Academic Enhancement Plan (AEP) for their assigned student

* Tracking the student&rsquo;s progress on the AEP

* Attending Academic Enhancement Activities every six weeks

* Documenting all activities and submitting paperwork to Sauti Yetu Center for African Women

* Attending monthly supervision with GELI Program Manager

The average expected time commitment per week is 4 hours per week over the academic school year (October- June).


Eligibility Requirements:
-------------------------

* Women between the ages of 20-33

* Current residents of New York City

* Currently enrolled or recently graduated college students (graduate or undergraduate) who have completed at least 2 years of higher education

* Maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA

* Have some experience working with youth

Preference will be given to those candidates with direct experience in Africa and/or with African immigrants.


To apply submit the following:
------------------------------

* Cover letter (indicating why you would like to become a GELI Coach)

* Resume or CV

* 3 References including names, phone numbers and email addresses (1 academic, 1 professional & one more of either)

* Writing sample


Contact information:
---------------------

Ramatu Bangura, Program Manager
Sauti Yetu Center for African Women
P.O. Box D, New York, NY 10034
Phone: 718-665-2486
Fax: 718-665-2483
Email: rbangura@sautiyetu.org


Posted by:
Jerin Alam
National NOW Young Feminist Task Force
National Organization for Women (NOW)

Action Alert/Event Announcement: SAFER Bar Night

SAFER is the organization that introduced me to Elischia, who along with me, contacted CUNY central to propose the sexual-assault policy for all 480,000 of its students. It's a great organization that deserves our support.

Sincerely,
Jerin Alam
National NOW Young Feminist Task Force
National Organization for Women (NOW)

The National Organization for Women is the nation’s largest organization working to advance women’s rights and improve women’s lives.
www.now.org

Organization:
SAFER - Students Active For Ending Rape

Topic:
SAFER Bar Night

SAFER Bar Night

Host:	Students Active for Ending Rape
Type:	Party - Benefit
Network:	Global

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

6:00pm - 9:00pm

Village Pourhouse Downtown

64 3rd Ave. at 11th st.

New York, NY

Email:

dan@safercampus.org

To see more details and RSVP, follow the link below: http://www.facebook.com/n/?event.php&eid=103918962506&mid=c89811G294fe1dbG2464731G7

Come hang out and have a drink or two (or more?) with the SAFER Board of Directors!

-Learn about SAFER's work
-Find out what new things we have in store
-Help us raise a little $

and have a lot of fun in the process!

Kindly give us $5 at the door (or more if you're feeling generous!) and from 6 to 7 you can enjoy the OPEN BAR. We look forward to seeing your lovely faces.

Can't make it to the event but want to donate 5 bucks anyway? Donate using google checkout on our website here: http://www.safercampus.org/donate.html OR sponsor one of our favorite bloggers at The Curvature in the 2009 blogathon here: http://thecurvature.com/2009/07/13/blogathon-2009/. All pledges go to SAFER.

www.safercampus.org

Action Alert: Support the Equal Rights Amendment

	Dear Feminist, Hard to believe, isn't it? After all the achievements of the women's movement, we're still missing one essential piece: a constitutional amendment guaranteeing basic equality for women. I was thrilled to be taking office as president of the National Organization for Women on the same day that Representative Carolyn Maloney introduced, once again, a new constitutional equality amendment. One of my first acts as president was to speak at a rally in support of Representative Maloney's bill on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol. Join me as we recommit ourselves to the task of putting women in the Constitution. And with your help, we can get it done. Is an ERA still necessary? Absolutely! Until we have equality under the law guaranteed by our constitution, we will continue the frustrating dance of two steps forward and one step back. Congress and state legislatures are free to strip away our hard-won rights with any shift in the political tide. Why is this different from all the other times that our faithful supporters in Congress have re-introduced the Equal Rights Amendment? There's a groundswell in favor of equality for women, and we now have the serendipitous combination of a White House and a Congress more favorable to women's rights than we've seen in recent years. Make a pledge of monthly support for this arduous campaign. I know that these are tough times, but even a small monthly gift adds up. If you are unable to commit to monthly support, your one-time gift in any amount will be deeply appreciated and put to work immediately. This is our time. Let's seize this exciting moment. I look forward to hearing from you. For equality, Terry O'Neill President

Sign Up for Emails | NOW Home | Support NOW's Work | Unsubscribe / Edit Profile

Posted by:
Jerin Alam
National NOW Young Feminist Task Force
National Organization for Women (NOW)

Action Alert: Single-Payer Bill Up for Vote

To: NOW Leaders
From: the NOW National Action Center

URGENT ACTION ALERT

July 23, 2009

National Single-Payer Bill Up for House Committee Vote

We just received an urgent message about a likely House Energy and Commerce Committee vote on single-payer health care Friday, July 24. A bill, H.R. 676, which would authorize a national single-payer health care plan (like Medicare for all) may come up for a vote. Certain "leaning" and "won't say" committee members need to hear from NOW activists that we want to see H.R. 676 passed – please call any of the committee members (all Democrats) whose names and numbers are listed below. Even if you are not in the district represented by that committee member, CALL THEM. PLEASE TAKE ACTION ASAP. Thanks for your quick response.

CALL "LEANING" DEMS:

Diana DeGette (CO) 202-225-4431
Jane Harman (D-CA) 202-225-8220
Christopher Murphy (CT) 202-225-4476
Frank Pallone (NJ) 202-225-4671
Bobby Rush (IL) 202-225-4372
Peter Welch (VT) 202-225-4115

CALL "WON'T SAY" OR "NOT ENOUGH VOTES" DEMS:

Rick Boucher (VA) 202-225-3861
Bruce Braley (IA) 202-225-2911
G.K. Butterfield (NC) 202-225-3101
Lois Capps (CA) 202-225-3601
Kathy Castor (FL) 202-225-3376
John Dingell (MI) 202-225-4071
Charles Gonzales (TX) 202-225-3236
Gene Green (TX) 202-225-1688
Jay Inslee (WA) 202-225-6311
Doris Matsui (CA) 202-225-7163
Jerry McNerney (CA) 202-225-1947
John Sarbanes (MD) 202-225-4016
Bart Stupak (MI) 202-225-4735
Betty Sutton (OH) 202-225-3401
Henry Waxman (chair, CA) 202-225-3976

Reportedly, Committee chair Henry Waxman (D-CA) has postponed this vote which was to have taken place on Wednesday because he fears that a national single-payer health care bill might really be adopted. H.R. 676 – The United States National Health Care Act, sponsored by Rep. John Conyers (D-MI), chair of House Judiciary Committee and 85 other House members, will be offered as an amendment to the major health care reform bill by Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-NY). On July 17, this committee adopted an amendment (25-19, including some Republicans!) offered by Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) that would let states establish their own single-payer health care programs. An amazing win!

Please note: NOW's new president, Terry O'Neill, will be speaking at the Thursday, July 30, D.C. rally/lobby day event in support of a national single-payer health care plan; this event coincides with the 44th birthday anniversary of Medicare. Most activists will remember than NOW endorsed the single-payer health care approach in 1993 during the Clinton health care reform debate.

You may also want to contact your representative and two senators to let them know that you believe that access to health care is a fundamental human right and we must have health care reform that is truly universal and affordable. We will be sending out additional health care reform updates and action alerts in the coming days and weeks. Thanks, again, for your calls and email messages – we hear that they are making a difference in the health care debate.

Thanks to democrats.com for the breakdown of committee members.

---

NOW.org | All NOW Actions | NOW Leaders Internal Site | Support NOW's work

Posted by:
Jerin Alam
National NOW Young Feminist Task Force
National Organization for Women (NOW)

Action Alert: Reproductive Health Care in Reform Bills Threatened

Support NOW's Work |	July 23, 2009	| Tell a Friend

Action Needed Background All NOW Actions Act NOW for Real Reform!		Reproductive Health Care in Reform Bills Threatened Please take time now to call or email your representative and senators to urge that no restrictions for women's reproductive health services should be included in health care reform legislation. Tell Congress: Don't Cave In! After taking action, please support our work! Action Needed: While there have been several wins in health care reform legislation concerning reproductive health services, a number of serious threats have emerged in recent days. Abortion rights opponents in both parties are moving to prohibit coverage in any public plan that is part of reform legislation. There is even an effort to prohibit private health insurance companies participating in the proposed health insurance exchanges to stop covering abortion services. Most private insurers currently provide coverage for abortion. Anti-abortion rights groups are flooding members of Congress with thousands of calls, opposing any provision in health care reform that would permit the use of government funds to pay for abortion care as well as trying to stop private insurance coverage of these services. Please call or email your representative and senators right away. You can use our formatted message below or create one in your own words. Take action now! Background: The Good News: In mid-July, fifteen anti-abortion rights amendments offered by Republicans were narrowly defeated in the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pension Committee as the committee marked-up health care overhaul legislation. One, offered by Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), would have prohibited abortion coverage in a health care exchange for participants who receive government subsidized coverage. Another, offered by Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.), would have specified that federal health reform legislation could not override state laws on parental notification when minors seek abortion services. A second Coburn amendment was rejected that would have advanced a broad version of so-called "conscience" exemptions for health care providers with moral or religious objections to reproductive health care. On the House side, the House Education and Labor Committee recently approved a major health reform bill (H.R. 3200) after rejecting two amendments brought by Rep. Mark Souder (R-Ind.) that sought to prohibit health care plans -- including a public plan -- that participate in the proposed health insurance exchange from covering abortion services. The House Ways and Means Committee approved H.R. 3200 after spurning dozens of Republican amendments, including several attempts to exclude abortion coverage from the essential benefit package created in the bill. Take action now! The Bad News: The topic of abortion coverage in health care reform has become red hot in recent days as abortion rights opponents have pressed the Democratic leadership to accept restrictions against abortion services in House legislation. A campaign of disinformation has been mounted by these groups, claiming that policies the Obama administration are pursuing "will result in massive public subsidies for abortion and result in a massive increase in the number of abortions." Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mich.), co-chair of the Pro-Life Caucus, has said that health care reform legislation should maintain restrictions on federal funding of abortion. Stupak was among a group of 19 conservative Democrats who sent a letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) in June threatening to vote against any reform legislation that does not specifically prohibit federal funding from being used for abortion services. Mid-week House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) met with several anti-abortion-rights Democrats to ease pressure and a group of centrist Democrats have proposed an amendment that would neither require nor prohibit insurers from covering abortion services, as long as federal funding is not used. The latest tactic on the part of anti-abortion forces is to claim that because private insurers may be participating in the health insurance exchanges that the reform plan would establish, they would be benefiting from federal funding and must halt abortion coverage. Some observers believe that this heightened campaign against abortion rights has an ultimate goal of prohibiting private health insurance plans from covering abortion. A 2002 study found that 87 percent of employer-based health insurance policies covered 'medically necessary or appropriate abortions', while another study found that 46 percent of workers with health insurance had coverage for abortion. So, if abortion rights opponents win on prohibiting private insurance from including abortion coverage, millions of women will be affected. Take action now and tell your representative and senators how important these reproductive health services are to you and to women everywhere. We will be keeping you updated on reproductive rights and related issues as health care reform legislation moves forward. and then
SUPPORT NOW: Support NOW's Work for Equal Rights | Join NOW | Monthly Giving | Catalog | Shop Amazon TAKE ACTION: Get Involved | Find Your Nearest Chapter | Tell a Friend | Learn More LISTS: Unsubscribe, Edit Profile | Subscribe | All Lists

Action Alert: Urge Governor Paterson to Sign the Anti-Shackling Bill NOW!

Thanks to Marcia Pappas, NOW-NYS president, for researching this and sending us the info.

 

Sincerely,

Jerin Alam

National NOW Young Feminist Task Force

National Organization for Women (NOW)

Urge Governor Paterson to Sign the Anti-Shackling Bill NOW! Call or Email Governor Paterson. Urge him to Sign S.1290-A.3373-A Take Action! Shackling Women Prisoners in Labor is not Acceptable Practice   We have just heard from our coalition partners that the Anti-Shackling Bill is on the Governor's desk, ready to be signed. He needs to hear from you!   This is a critical time to voice your support of the Anti-Shackling Bill S.1290-A/A.3373-A which prevents incarcerated women in labor from being shackled. The Governor is delaying action on the bill so that he has "more time to hear from the advocates" and opponents who are unrealistically claiming that incarcerated women in labor are a flight risk, posing risk of escape. We need to make sure the Governor learns the truth and understands there is widespread public support for this bill. If you want to call the Governor, at 518-474-8390, we have provided talking points in a letter. Click on Take Action link above to see talking points. You can also send email the Governor by clicking on the Take Action link above. Talking points have been provided to us by the Women in Prison Project, July 2009. Summary of bill: The Anti-Shackling Bill, S.1290-A/A.3373-A, forbids the use of restraints on incarcerated women during labor and post-delivery recovery, and restricts the use of restraints during transport to and from the hospital. This bill, sponsored by Assemblymember N. Nick Perry and Senator Velmanette Montgomery, passed overwhelmingly in the Assembly and unanimously in the Senate.

Action Alert: 5 Democrats block healthcare

Nita Lowey (18th-Rock./ West.) Dan Maffei (25th-Central NY) Eric Massa (29th-Western NY) Mike McMahon (13th-S.I.) Scott Murphy (20th-Cap. Region) Five Democratic Members of Congress from New York are slowing down Obama's push for healthcare reform. Tell them healthcare for all can't wai

We have to act fast.  Five Democratic Members of Congress from New York are putting the brakes on President Obama's historic campaign to reform our broken healthcare system. 

Legislation that would expand healthcare coverage for tens of millions of Americans is gaining steam in Congress. But these five New York Representatives are stalling the bill because it pays for reform with a modest tax on the rich.¹ 

This is our best chance for healthcare reform in a generation, but now these five Democratic Members of Congress are putting real reform in jeopardy - even though less than 1% of all New Yorkers would be affected by the tax.

Healthcare is too important to sit on sidelines.  The WFP has started a petition pressuring the Representatives to do the right thing.

Our goal: 5,000 signatures from New Yorkers across the state calling on Reps. Scott Murphy, Nita Lowey, Mike McMahon, Eric Massa, and Dan Maffei to put real healthcare reform over protecting the rich.

http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=OAlKhIN8CoF4Rt6UE9M4I5N8inrE3i2o

President Obama said on Tuesday: "some will try to delay action until the special interests can kill it."²

He's right. The President has brought us closer to universal healthcare than this country has ever been. We can't afford to waste this chance for real reform.

But without proper funding, providing quality, affordable healthcare for everyone is impossible. The simplest, fairest way to achieve that goal is by asking those who enjoyed billions in tax cuts during the Bush years to pay their fair share.

Republicans smear Obama's healthcare campaign every day, but with a big Democratic majority in the House and 60 Democrats in the Senate, it's Democratic opposition that could really derail healthcare reform. 

This is what the Working Families Party was made for - holding politicians accountable when the big fights are on the line. And nothing could be bigger than the President's drive for real healthcare reform.

Sign the petition, and help us reach our goal of 5,000 signatures calling on these five representatives to do the right thing.

http://action.workingfamiliesparty.org/t/3865/petition.jsp?petition_KEY=631

1. "Health tax draws fire from Dems", Press & Sun Bulletin, July 20, 2009
http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=u6ohreJg7HdMcEsYQ5BJHpN8inrE3i2o

2. "Dems at odds on how to turn tide on health", The Hill, July 21, 2009
http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=qBNag0KeCY4fRV7E4CvDIZN8inrE3i2o

Action Alert: Anti-choice groups step up attacks on women's health

After a week of outrageous attacks on health care reform by anti-choice groups, I reached out to you on Saturday to help me take a simple message to Congress: Health care reform must not leave women worse off than they are under our current system. Since then, the steady assault from anti-choice groups has become an avalanche. They're spreading lies about health care proposals, attacking Planned Parenthood, and doing everything they can to hijack health care reform. We can't let them get away with it — if they succeed, a generation of women will see their access to comprehensive reproductive health care and their choice of providers jeopardized. Please take action now: send your message to Congress. Thank you, Don't let anti-choice groups hijack health care. They are jeopardizing women's health for their own political agenda. Please stop them — send a message to Congress today. Dear jerin, Six months ago, I thought that by this time we would be hammering out a health care reform bill that meant millions of low-income women and their families would have comprehensive health care coverage. Instead, we are in the fight of our lives, for their lives. We need your help, urgently. During the past week, anti-choice groups have turned out in droves to stop progress on health care reform in the name of ideology. The Family Research Council and the National Right to Life Committee each published lies about a women's preventive health amendment introduced by Senator Mikulski, claiming that it would mandate abortion coverage. Fortunately for the millions of women in need of preventive reproductive health care, the women's health amendment was approved. But there is no longer any doubt that anti-choice forces have zeroed in on the effort to build health care reform majorities in the House and Senate as their chance to strike a devastating blow to women's access to reproductive health care, including cancer screenings, contraception, and abortion care. They've already introduced at least 30 amendments attacking women's health care — and you can bet they're not done yet. Some of these anti-choice amendments could even result in taking away existing benefits from women and denying them access to the trusted providers of their choice. The fact is that without genuine access to reproductive health care, a woman's right to choose is made meaningless. You and I know that. So do our opponents. Please, join me in taking action now. What bothers me most about what's happening now is the effects on people who urgently need care. Like Amy Johnson.* At 19, with no health insurance, she came to a Planned Parenthood affiliate health center where a Pap test indicated cervical cancer. Thanks to the early detection, she was treated and recovered. Amy is why we're here — and why we urgently need your help. You and I have to make it clear that this is a price American women aren't willing to pay — and should never be asked to pay. With Congress making decisions this very moment that will define the future of health care in America for a generation, we don't have a moment to waste. The bottom line: women's basic health care must be a priority, and that means women must not be worse off under health care reform. Reproductive health care must be covered and women must be able to access that care through providers they trust. This is the kind of defining moment when your support counts most. Thank you for standing strong with us today. Sincerely, Cecile Richards, President Planned Parenthood Action Fund P.S. Events are moving quickly — please bear with us as we communicate with you frequently on this critical struggle. * Amy Johnson is a pseudonym. visit plannedparenthoodaction.org © 2009 Planned Parenthood® Action Fund

Posted by:
Jerin Alam
National NOW Young Feminist Task Force
National Organization for Women (NOW)