Women's Rights in Dire Straits: Abortion Ban in Healthcare Reform Bill...

This just in from NOW on the latest developments in the healthcare reform process and abortion...

Stupakified! It's Really An Abortion Ban for Millions of Middle-Income Women
The Stupak-Pitts Amendment passed in the final hours of House debate on health care reform legislation (H.R. 3962), if signed into law, would broaden restrictions on abortion for primarily low-income women as well as many millions more women in the middle class.

What do we mean by that, you ask? Well, current federal law under the harmful 1976 Hyde Amendment prohibits the use of federal funds to pay for abortion services. Low-income women receiving health care under the Medicaid program cannot have abortion expenses covered, unless they live in one of 17 states that use their own funds to pay for abortion. Exceptions from Hyde are for survivors of rape, incest or having a life-threatening complication. Hyde also affects over one million women in the federal workforce who are insured through the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program.

The Stupak-Pitts Amendment would prohibit any health insurance policy offered in the new regional exchanges from covering abortion if even only one of their policies is sold to a woman receiving a government subsidy to help pay for insurance. In other words, even if you are paying for your insurance with your own personal funds, your policy can't provide abortion coverage if there are others in the same plan who are getting government subsidies.

The large number of women buying insurance through the exchanges would include those previously covered in the costly individual insurance market (about 6 million women) and others previously uninsured and underinsured. The estimated number of uninsured women is 17 million, and millions more are underinsured. These numbers could very well rise due to the hundreds of thousands losing health insurance and jobs in this bad economy.

Further, anyone joining a public health insurance program -- if any survive these perilous legislative battles -- could not receive coverage for abortion services either because federal funds would be used to establish new public programs.

Sure, the "compassionate conservative" (where have we heard that term before?) men who drafted this regressive amendment had women's interests in mind when they said that women could just buy a separate abortion rider policy. Really!? Would most insurance companies even offer such riders? We doubt it. Would most women think that they might become unintentionally pregnant or encounter costly, life-changing complications during pregnancy? Not likely. And let's not forget their teen-aged daughters.

If you, too, are stunned by this GI-normous, back-door evisceration of Roe v. Wade, here's something you can do right away:

Tell your Senators what you think about being Stupakified!

Download and read "A NOW Activist Leader's Guide to Defeating the Stupak-Pitts Amendment Restricting Abortion Coverage in Health Care" (PDF)from NOW.

Download and print the petition (PDF) from NOW and bring it to events in your community in the coming days. Return as many signatures as possible to the NOW
Action Center by Nov. 30 -- so we can hand deliver them on the big Dec. 2 lobby day.
NOW's "Strip Stupak" web page will be updated frequently with new information and action ideas. And, as part of NOW's all-important grassroots leadership, you will receive regular email bulletins on this critical issue. We need a unified, swift and thunderous effort to reverse this attack on our rights!

Tomorrow is National Comprehensive Sex Ed Call-In Day!

Wednesday, Oct. 28th is National Comprehensive Sex Ed Call-In Day!

Make the call - tell Congress no more Abstinence-Only funding that doesn't work for our teens and youth!

For all the details, check out Choice USA's special Call-In Day page by clicking here and read on below to find out more from Choice USA and other organizations on what you can do!

Join the National Comprehensive Sex Education Call-In Day on October 28th!

The healthcare reform debate is dominating the news right now. One thing we’re not hearing about is the Hatch Amendment, an amendment that would have a serious impact on sex education in our classrooms. Voted into the Senate Finance Committee’s version of healthcare reform 12-11, the Hatch Amendment lays out a $50 million funding plan to get failed abstinence-only programs back into our classrooms.

We need to speak up! This piece of healthcare reform will directly impact our everyday lives and its key we show our legislators we want sex education grounded in fact that teaches us what we need to know.

Abstinence-only programs don’t work. President Obama has called for the end of them in his budget and Members of Congress in the House and Senate have held firm by letting ab-only funding streams expire. Let’s make sure 12 Senators don’t successfully get bad sex education back into our classrooms!

Join Choice USA, SIECUS, SYRF, Advocates for Youth, and Catholics for Choice in our National Call-In Day on Wednesday, October 28th. Call 1-888-423-5983 to reach your Senators’ office.

Women’s Health is a Community Issue: Review of Where Women Have No Doctor

I recently had the opportunity to read a wonderful book published by the Hesperian Foundation, a change-making organization which New Wave Grrrl has profiled before, entitled Where Women Have No Doctor. To many people in the United States, this title is inconceivable, however its message is universal in its appeal to communities to care for and respect women and girls. The book itself is practical, meaningful and written for all people who see the healthcare of women and girls as being critical to the health, survival and prosperity of their communities.

Where Women Have No Doctor is a how-to for communities located in poverty-stricken urban and rural areas, or those without strong public health infrastructure, where quick access to trained medical professionals is often impossible, especially in the event of emergencies. Its practicality as a field manual is undeniable, as it contains extensive diagrams, glossaries, explanations, and guides on medicines, examinations and a whole host of other useful information for individuals who are putting these instructions to use on the ground. The book is much more than a “Do It Yourself” on healthcare however, and is a fantastic read for anyone interested in the ways in which women’s health is woven into the fabric of communities worldwide.

The beauty of Where Women Have No Doctor is that it provides keys to understanding health disparities around the world, which are often deeply rooted in vastly unequal power dynamics among women and men, with men typically making all family healthcare decisions in many regions. These decisions, as we are told by the book, can include access to care, the management of funds, determinations about the type of care received, the critical entry points for individuals to receive care, and the timing of the healthcare sought. In many cases, as demonstrated by some of the true-story testimonials contained in the book, the inequities in health literacy and healthcare decision making-power costs women their livelihood, and sometimes their very lives.

Through case studies of women and families, Where Women Have No Doctor demonstrates how inextricably linked issues of food, poverty, war, community supports, family status, forced and early marriages, and too frequent childbirths often lead to dramatically adverse health outcomes for women and girls across a lifetime. In Where Women Have No Doctor, the writers have creatively and effectively managed to intertwine both a practical field manual for providing basic first aid, emergency response and certain medical procedures with a critical look at how societies are organized. The authors seamlessly move from providing community healthcare information, to in-depth examinations of why women and girls are undervalued the world over, and how deep inequalities, including poverty and lack of education, have tremendous adverse affects on women’s health, wellbeing and overall survival.

The book also offers information on family planning and spacing of children, safer sex and ways to end the cycle of violence, which in many cases must be addressed by the entire community as a whole. One of the recurrent tools, which is highly applicable and cost-free in many cases, is the formation of support groups among women, as a vehicle for greater protection, awareness and change. The book also stresses the importance of making enough food and milk available for women and girls, as this proves to be a major health indicator and can help women fight disease, prevent exhaustion and lead to better outcomes for themselves and their families. Often, due to women and girls’ lower status in families, overwork in low-skilled demanding labor and frequent pregnancies within short periods of time, women suffer exhaustion and depression at extremely high rates, and when they do not receive adequate nutrition, they are made increasingly vulnerable to disease and death as a result.

In addition to the quality of in-depth information that this book provides, I was also particularly impressed by the section on women with disabilities and their special health needs, to which an entire chapter is dedicated. This section includes information on skin care, such as prevention and treatment of pressure sores, which is a huge health issue for individuals with physical or other movement-inhibiting disabilities. The chapter also stresses the importance of exercise and shows examples of movements to keep joints and muscles working and prevention of further injury, sores, etc. due to limited mobility. Unfortunately, low mobility even for those without physical limitations is a major issue for people with disabilities, as they do not typically have as much access to their communities and social opportunities as do their non-disabled peers.

The chapter is sex and self-positive in tone, and recognizes the importance of women with disabilities having access to information on sexuality, family planning and abuse and assault prevention tools. These are all critical aspects of healthcare for women, especially those with varying ability levels, as many people do not think that these issues need to be discussed with the disability population, so they usually go unaddressed. This reality is even further confounded in rural or remote areas, where access to information and resources is less easily achieved.

Another great attribute of Where Women Have No Doctor is that within this chapter on women and disability, as well as throughout the book, mental health issues and illnesses such as depression are not only mentioned, but the book helps to de-stigmatize them, and discuss the cultural origins of stereotypes about women with disabilities and/or mental illness. The book encourages women with disabilities to find others to talk to, pursue their dreams and form support groups and networks. Perhaps most importantly, the book discusses how to get others on board in order to educate and modify communities so that they will be more accessible to women with disabilities. In keeping with the book’s overall theme, the reader is offered positive images of women with disabilities, which are essential to changing perceptions about people with disabilities and increasing integration within society.

As a field manual on community health, or just as a guide to knowledge about women’s status in the world, Where Women Have No Doctor is truly comprehensive, in that for every example it highlights of the inequalities and challenges that women face all over the world, the book provides positive reinforcement for communities that seek to make changes in the lives of women. In addition, it offers a multitude of advice and action steps towards positive changes that will hopefully ease poverty, improve health and transform the way in which communities view and value women and girls.

(This book is also available in Spanish.)

A Message from Halle Berry (!) and Girls Mentoring and Education Services

A while back, guest blogger Thomael Joannidis posted on child sex trafficking and the need for more awareness about how this is affecting so many girls in America and around the world. Below is a letter from Halle Berry, on behalf of the Council of Daughters and Girls Education and Mentoring Services (G.E.M.S.) on why YOU need to get involved...

Dear Daughters,

Being a girl isn't easy.

Today in New York City, a girl will flee an abusive home, only to be approached by a pimp-trafficker who will promise her love and protection. He will not deliver on these promises. Instead, he will assault and degrade her, and later sell her repeatedly to johns.

I have never met this girl, but she is my daughter.

In Houston, a girl trafficked and sold by a pimp will be arrested. Most likely, she will not be viewed as a victim of child sex trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation. She will be deemed a 'teen prostitute' and sent to jail. It will devastate her but she will have no one to tell her she is loved, that she will be okay, that she is not to blame.

She is my daughter.

In Chicago, a girl will have her picture taken and posted on a popular social networking site, a virtual marketplace for johns interested in buying very young girls. Her pimp will force her to meet these johns in motels and brothels and apartments around the city, and will punish her mercilessly if she refuses.

She is my daughter.

And in my hometown of Cleveland, a girl will arrive in an emergency room with extensive injuries resulting from a brutal assault by a john. The doctors may treat her, but it's possible they will not have the training to identify her as a victim and connect her with services that can help her heal from her physical and emotional trauma.

She is my daughter.

Across the nation, between 100,000 and 300,000 American children are at risk for child sex trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation. In most cases, resources do not exist to care for them, help them heal, advocate for them in the courts, and empower them to reach their full potential. That's why I too am a member of The Council of Daughters, working with you to mobilize women and girls to encourage stronger legislation, better services, increased community awareness, and real social change to protect and empower girls who have been trafficked as they fight to recover from their exploitation.

Imagine what we can accomplish if millions of women band together to fight for the needs of girls at the national and local level. Imagine the power we can wield if we all agree that every girl in America deserves the right to grow up and live her dreams. Imagine the enormous change that is possible if we each commit to a simple pledge: Every girl is my daughter and I will do whatever I can, whenever I can, to protect the girls I know and the girls I may never meet.

Together, we can ensure that girls are educated and empowered to know their self-worth and beauty. We can demand that service providers, doctors, educators and police officers are informed and prepared to respond to the needs of children who have been victimized. We can ensure that comprehensive recovery services are available in all 50 states. We can help young survivors rise to the forefront of a nation-wide movement to end child sex trafficking in America. We can build a nation where girls are celebrated, not sold.

I need you to do three things for me today. First, if you haven't seen it yet, I want you to watch the GEMS film Very Young Girls to learn just how much girls in recovery need our support. The film is available online and on DVD at Netflix. Watch it this week or accept GEMS' One2One Challenge and share it with a friend on our National Viewing Night on October 17th.

Click to accept the One2One Challenge on October 17th.

Second, I encourage you to donate $10, $25, $50 or any amount to support the GEMS Girls Fund. Inspire a friend by inviting them over to watch the film with you on October 17th and make a donation to GEMS in honor of this friend. Any amount is a gift.

And finally, I want you to invite someone new to join the Council by clicking the link below to forward this email.

I know we can do this. I know we can change the world for girls.

Love Always,
Halle

Chilling Developments on "Fetal Personhood"...

With all of the excitement leading up to the historic 2008 Presidential Election, it is difficult to believe that mid-term election season will soon be in full swing for 2010.

With that said, many special interest groups (SIGs) that operate on the fringe in America are already gearing up to ensure that their candidates sweep the elections next year and that their issues of things like strict marriage definitions, limits on choice, etc. appear on state ballots. One such group is the "Fetal Personhood" supporters, who have been trying in states like Colorado to establish full rights for unborn fetuses equal to that of all adult American citizens.

The National Family Planning and Reproductive Health Association recently reported on the issue, and it is truly disturbing:

"Fetal Personhood" Advocates Eye 2010 Elections

Personhood USA is once again on the offensive, pushing for the rights of fertilized eggs over the rights and health of women. The group claims to have campaigns active in 29 states, but efforts in Montana, Colorado, and Florida are currently making headlines. In each of these states, Personhood USA is seeking signatures for a petition to put a state constitutional amendment on the 2010 ballot that would define "person" from "the beginning of biological development."

Nearly identical endeavors failed in Montana and Colorado in 2008. In Montana, "personhood" advocates failed to obtain half of the required signatures to put the measure on the ballot. The citizens of Colorado voted down the amendment nearly three-to-one. These defeats have not discouraged the group, and organizers in both states have until July 2010 to gather the required number of signatures to qualify for the state's ballot.

Fofi Mendez, chief coordinator of the Protect Families, Protect Choices Coalition in Colorado, told the Rocky Mountain Independent, "The true goal of this initiative is to criminalize all abortions... This has very far-reaching consequences for important life decisions, such as in vitro fertilization, birth control, and has impacts on women and their families."

According to Associated Press reports, there are similar petitions circulating in Mississippi and Nevada, and amendment language will be filed later this month in California.

Come to Women Who Health!

The Younger Women's Task Force of New Jersey (YWTF-NJ) will be holding its fall kickoff event "Women who Health" next week on Thursday, October 1st from 6-8pm at the Hickory Corner Library in East Windsor, NJ. This event will consist of refreshments, panel discussion on women's health issues by experts around the state, and time for question and answers.

For information and to register, please see the information below:

Women Who Health:
Women’s Preventative Health Panel

Thursday, October 1
6:00-8:00 PM
at
Hickory Corner Library
138 Hickory Corner Rd., East Windsor, NJ

Participate in a panel discussion where women discuss ways to ensure and promote healthy lifestyles through education and awareness. Panelists include a personal trainer, representative from the Sierra Club, and more!

Enjoy light refreshments, door prizes, and take-aways at this free event.

RSVP by September 28th via email at ywtf.nj@gmail.com.

Will you be at the PA Gov's Conference for Women on Thursday?

NWG will! Go Philly!

More info below on the conference:

Hosted By

Governor Edward G. Rendell &
The Pennsylvania Commission for Women
The Pennsylvania Convention Center, Philadelphia
Thursday, September 17, 2009

http://www.pagovernorsconferenceforwomen.org/