Day of Action against Stupak this Wednesday

[Image via MassArt's Feminist Majority]

Dear members of the Hunter Women's Rights Coalition (Hunter Equality),

This Wednesday we are having an important meeting (with free pizza, naturally) about our upcoming fundraiser for the Ali Forney Center as well as how to take action at home against the Stupak Amendment, which, if passed along with the health care reform bill before the Senate, could leave women worse off than before.

There will, however,be a National Day of Action THIS WEDNESDAY in Washington, D.C. -- we encourage you to attend if you can. I've included the information from Planned Parenthood below:

NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION
DECEMBER 2, 2009
9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Washington, DC

Please join us to lobby the Senate for health care reform that ensures women's access to reproductive health care.

To rsvp click here and email hunterequality@gmail.com

From Planned Parenthood: Join thousands of others to speak with one voice and let our elected officials know that we support health care reform that protects women's health! Real health reform will respect the right of women to purchase private health insurance that covers comprehensive reproductive health care, including abortion. We hope to see you there! If you can't make it to DC, stop by our Facebook page for online activities through December 2. www.facebook.com/plannedparenthood

If you can't make it to DC, we will be discussing The Hanger Project during our Wednesday meeting.

If you can't make it to the meeting either, you can help fight Stupak by calling your Senators: Look them up by state

We are incredibly proud to have worked together throughout this semester and we're very excited for the next. Whether it's in DC, in the clubroom, or online -- we hope to see you by our side in pushing for real health care reform that doesn't leave women behind.

With love and in solidarity,
Sabrina

President
Hunter Women's Rights Coalition
Hunter Equality@gmail.com

Facebook fan page: http://www.facebook.com/HunterEquality
Blog: http://hunterequality.blogspot.com/
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/happyfeminist

Action Alert: Health care reform & abortion: myth vs. reality: help set record straight

The Senate recess begins today, and senators will be heading back to their home districts with one thing on their minds: health care reform. I wish I could say it was now just a matter of time until we get a bill that strengthens coverage for the women, men, and families who need it most — but the truth is, our work is more critical than ever. Of course, Congress has made progress on health care reform legislation — and when it comes to the early drafts of the bill, I'm happy to say: so far, so good. All versions of the health care reform bill would expand coverage, protect women's access to reproductive health care, and allow women to continue to see the health care providers they know and trust (like Planned Parenthood). That is the good news. Now for the bad. Anti-choice groups have geared up for an all-out assault on women's health care. They're using the reform negotiations to pursue their number one goal: preventing women from accessing comprehensive reproductive health care, from birth control to abortion. And I'm sure it's not news to you that they're willing to use every dishonest attack and dirty trick they can to stand in the way of women's health. Here are a few key facts you should know so the next time you're talking with friends, family, or co-workers about health care reform, you can set the record straight: 1. MYTH: Health care reform would result in the greatest expansion of abortion since Roe v. Wade. REALITY: Currently, the majority of plans already cover basic reproductive health care, including abortion care. In fact, more than 86 percent of employer-based insurance plans cover abortion care. That's why anti-choice groups are working so hard to strip reproductive health from health care reform — in order to strip women of coverage they currently have. 2. MYTH: Taxpayer money would be used to pay for abortions in the public plan. REALITY: Opponents of reproductive health care are trying to confuse people into thinking that the public plan is a government-funded health plan like Medicaid or Medicare — it is not. The public health insurance plan would operate like any private insurance plan would. It would be funded and paid for by private individual premiums, in the same way a private insurance plan is. Therefore, there is no reason to treat any coverage issue, including abortion coverage, differently in the public health insurance plan than in private plans. 3. MYTH: Health care reform will "mandate" abortion coverage. REALITY: Nothing in any of the current health care reform bills mandates abortion coverage — or any other type of health care service. Opponents of women's health and health care reform are trying to hijack health care reform to push for unprecedented prohibitions on abortion coverage in the private marketplace. Women in America have the most to gain and also the most to lose from health care reform. After all, women are the largest providers of health care, users of health care, and purchasers of health care, and women make the majority of the health care decisions for their families. And if our opponents have their way, women could be left worse off after health care reform, by losing access to health care and to their provider of choice. Health care reform is an important goal — but it can't come at the expense of women's health. As the leading provider of contraception and other reproductive health care in America, Planned Parenthood will continue to stand up for the health of women and their families. You can do your part to set the record straight on health care reform by writing a letter to the editor of your local paper, or simply by talking with friends, family, or co-workers. It's critical that we all set the record straight and educate others about women's health and community providers like Planned Parenthood. Stay tuned for ways you can get involved online and in your local community — and, once again, thank you for standing with us at this crucial time for women's health. Sincerely, Cecile Richards, President Planned Parenthood Federation of America visit plannedparenthood.org © 2009 Planned Parenthood® Federation of America | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use

Action Alert: Tell Congress Women's Health Matters In Health Care Reform

Our partners in Albany, Family Planning Advocates of New York State, are calling on supporters to help get the word out about health care reform. Please take a few minutes to find out how you can use your voice to protect access to our services. Congress is heading home for August recess without taking action on health care reform. Planned Parenthood's role in this reform process is to ensure that comprehensive reproductive health services remain available for all women and families. August is a critical time when your Member of Congress will be home, hearing from constituents on this important issue. We need your help to send the message to Congress that Women's Health Matters! Lately, anti-choice forces and lawmakers have come together in a dangerous attempt to halt our efforts, threatening to take away women's access to essential services like cancer screenings, contraception and abortion. Time is of the essence. The public and Congress need to know that millions of women across the country depend on community health centers like Planned Parenthood for their reproductive health care and, in many cases, for their primary health care. Writing a letter to the editor of your local paper can have a big impact in the little time that Congress is home. And, sending a letter is easy. In just a few clicks you can send a personalized letter to your local newspaper. Please take a moment to help spread the word about how important it is to include this type of care in health care reform. Women shouldn't be worse off after health care reform than they are today. CLICK HERE TO START WRITING YOUR LETTER Spread the word. Visit the web address below to tell your friends about this. Tell-a-friend! If you received this message from a friend, you can sign up for Planned Parenthood of New York City Action Network. Posted by: Jerin Alam National NOW Young Feminist Task Force National Organization for Women (NOW) visit plannedparenthood.org © 2009 Planned Parenthood® of New York City | Privacy Policy