Can you imagine living in a place where birth control is considered an "abortion" and health insurers won't cover it? Where even rape victims are denied emergency contraception?
It seems unbelievable, but the Bush Administration is quietly trying to redefine "abortion" to include birth control. The Houston Chronicle says this could wipe out dozens of state laws that protect women's reproductive freedom and protect rape victims. Access to basic health care for millions of women would be jeopardized. And it's being pushed as a "rule change" — meaning, it doesn't need congressional approval.
Can you sign an emergency message to Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt, whose department is considering this rule change right now? Tell him: "Contraception is NOT abortion. The Bush Administration's proposal to change the definition of abortion and reduce women's access to birth control must be stopped."
Clicking here will add your name to the petition from MoveOn.org.
The best way to beat back this proposal is to show Secretary Leavitt massive public outrage — that's why MoveOn is launching this petition jointly with Planned Parenthood Action Fund. Together, they'll deliver every signature to Leavitt. You can help add to the momentum by forwarding this message to friends or posting it where others can see.
Here's what some others are saying about this proposal:
Can you help send a loud message to Secretary Leavitt that birth control is NOT abortion?
Sign the petition.
It seems unbelievable, but the Bush Administration is quietly trying to redefine "abortion" to include birth control. The Houston Chronicle says this could wipe out dozens of state laws that protect women's reproductive freedom and protect rape victims. Access to basic health care for millions of women would be jeopardized. And it's being pushed as a "rule change" — meaning, it doesn't need congressional approval.
Can you sign an emergency message to Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt, whose department is considering this rule change right now? Tell him: "Contraception is NOT abortion. The Bush Administration's proposal to change the definition of abortion and reduce women's access to birth control must be stopped."
Clicking here will add your name to the petition from MoveOn.org.
The best way to beat back this proposal is to show Secretary Leavitt massive public outrage — that's why MoveOn is launching this petition jointly with Planned Parenthood Action Fund. Together, they'll deliver every signature to Leavitt. You can help add to the momentum by forwarding this message to friends or posting it where others can see.
Here's what some others are saying about this proposal:
- The draft regulation would define birth control as abortion...it could deny access to critical family planning for women across the country. — Letter signed by Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and 26 other senators.
- The draft rule could void laws in 27 states that require insurance companies to provide birth control coverage for women requesting it [and] laws in 14 states requiring that rape victims receive counseling and access to emergency, day-after contraceptives. — Houston Chronicle editorial
- The administration needs to stop playing word games with women's health and state clearly they will reject any regulations that will undermine women's access to basic health care. — Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America.
- [It's] a spectacular act of complicity with the religious right... — RH Reality Check, Information and Analysis for Reproductive Health
- The birth control pill, the IUD, and emergency contraception might all become unavailable — illegal — as a result. — Brigid Riley, executive director of a Minnesota teen pregnancy prevention organization
Can you help send a loud message to Secretary Leavitt that birth control is NOT abortion?
Sign the petition.
