women's health

11/17/09 -- Washington, D.C.--The following is a statement by Congressman Eliot Engel in response to the report released today on the changes to Mammography Guidelines by the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF).

“I am concerned by USPSTF's recommendations that women in their forties should no longer routinely get annual mammograms, and that older women (ages 50-74) should cut back to one scheduled exam every other year.    » read more »

“Without Proper Coverage, These Women Will Be Forced to Return to Dangerous Back Alley Providers”

November 16, 2009 -- New York, NY - With the U.S. Senate set to begin debate on health care reform this week, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand was joined today by dozens of women leaders to protest Michigan Democratic Representative Bart Stupak's amendment which passed the House of Representatives this month and would deny millions of women access to reproductive care.    » read more »

On the heels of a last-minute anti-abortion provision inserted into the U.S. House of Representatives health reform bill, several U.S. Senators have expressed concern about the Stupak amendment.

Planned Parenthood strongly opposes the Stupak amendment. It is an unacceptable addition to the health care reform bill that, if enacted, would result in women losing health benefits they have today.    » read more »

There has been much discussion about what the “real-life” impact of the Stupak-Pitts amendment would be on women’s access to abortion care. The following is an explanation of what this provision will mean to women, if it is enacted. Essentially, the amendment violates the underlying principle of health care reform, as articulated by President Obama, that no one will lose the benefits they currently have.    » read more »

November 16, 2009 -- On the heels of a last-minute anti-abortion provision inserted into the U.S. House of Representatives health reform bill, newspaper editorials from across the country have echoed Planned Parenthood Federation of America’s opposition to the Stupak amendment and have called on the Senate to reject the Stupak amendment.

Planned Parenthood strongly opposes the Stupak amendment. It is an unacceptable addition to the health care reform bill that, if enacted, would result in women losing health benefits they have today.    » read more »

WASHINGTON, DC -- November 10, 2009 – Rep. Jan Schakowsky, D-IL, released the following statement committing herself to vote against health care reform that erodes a woman’s right to choose. As a co-chair of the Congressional Women’s Caucus and member of the Pro-Choice Caucus, Rep. Schakowsky has fought to expand women’s rights and improve health care for all women. Rep. Schakowsky has added her name to letters that are being sent to the President and the Speaker, plainly establishing her position.    » read more »

Stupak-Pitts Amendment Effectively Bans Abortion Coverage in All Plans in the Exchange, including the Public Health Insurance Options and All Private Health Insurance Plans

10 November 2009 -- WASHINGTON -- U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette of Colorado and U.S. Rep. Louise M. Slaughter, co-chairs of the Congressional Pro-Choice Caucus, today sent a letter to President Barack Obama requesting a meeting to discuss reproductive health in health care reform and ensure the rights of all women are protected. The letter is signed by a total of 90 Pro-Choice Members of Congress and seeks a meeting with President Obama at the earliest possible date.    » read more »

Lawmaker calls it “an outright assault on my constitutional rights”

November 7, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. – Rep. Jane Harman (D-CA), a member of the House Energy & Commerce Committee, issued the following statement decrying an anti-choice amendment to HR 3962 – the Affordable Health Care for America Act – offered by Rep. Bart Stupak (D-MI).

Harman’s statement follows below.

It is going to be very difficult for me to vote for a health care bill that contains the Stupak amendment on abortion.    » read more »

Statement By Cecile Richards, President, Planned Parenthood Federation Of America Condemning Passage Of Stupak/Pitts Amendment

“Planned Parenthood condemns the adoption of the Stupak/Pitts amendment in HR 3962 this evening. This amendment is an unacceptable addition to the health care reform bill that, if enacted, would result in women losing health benefits they have today. Simply put, the Stupak/Pitts amendment would restrict women’s access to abortion coverage in the private health insurance market, undermining the ability of women to purchase private health plans that cover abortion, even if they pay for most of the premiums with their own money.    » read more »

November 7, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), a leading proponent of women’s reproductive rights and the Chair of the Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, opposed the discriminatory Stupak Amendment to the Affordable Health Care for America Act. The Stupak Amendment would limit access to reproductive health care.

“The Stupak amendment requires women to plan for unplanned pregnancy,” said Nadler. “This defies logic and is absurd,” continued Nadler. “This is a bill to extend health care to all Americans. It should not be used as a political football to change existing law regarding abortion coverage.”

The following is the text of Nadler’s floor statement:    » read more »

November 07, 2009 -- "Madam Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to the Stupak/Pitts amendment which plainly discriminates against women, puts women’s health at risk, and marks an unprecedented restriction on people who pay for their own health insurance.    » read more »

Amendment Further Restricts Women's Access to Reproductive Healthcare

November 7, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today Congresswoman Lois Capps (CA-23) will take to the House floor to speak in strong opposition to the Stupak amendment which would restrict women’s access to abortion services. The Stupak amendment also significantly departs from the status quo of federal policy related to abortion coverage and undermines efforts to maintain the principle of abortion neutrality in comprehensive health insurance reform legislation.    » read more »

Sánchez Works to Make Similar Federal Law

October 14, 2009 -- Washington, DC - Rep. Linda Sánchez (D-CA), applauded California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger for signing state legislation into law to end gender discrimination in health insurance premiums. The new law will prevent health insurers from charging men and women different rates for the same health insurance policies in the individual market.    » read more »

October 6, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. -- Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the Democratic Women’s Working Group joined leaders from women’s organizations for a press conference outside the Capitol this afternoon to discuss how women stand to gain the most from health insurance reform. Women will continue to face discrimination in both coverage and cost if health reform fails. Below are the Speaker’s opening statement and closing remarks.

On Why Health Insurance Reform is Essential for Women:    » read more »

October 7, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. -- Congressman Jim Matheson -- speaking at a hearing before the Health subcommittee Wednesday—told colleagues that breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death for Utah women. He urged support for several bills designed to improve education, treatment and screen programs for the disease.

“Everyone has been touched by cancer. I hope we will make significant strides in research, education and screening,” said Matheson. “Though the national incidence rate of breast cancer among women is much higher than Utah ’s, Utah ’s mortality rate is the same because a higher percentage of Utah women are diagnosed in the cancer’s later stages. If breast cancer is caught early, survival is much more likely.”    » read more »