Please sign if this is something you believe matters. I am well aware that nothing said here is going to change the minds of anyone who would actually BELIEVE that birth control is the same as abortion.
Dear MoveOn member,
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.1 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 this message:
http://pol.moveon.org/contraception/o.pl?id=13467-9705740-sqLcGKx&t=3
The best way to beat back this proposal is to show Secretary Leavitt massive public outrage—that's why today we're launching this petition jointly with Planned Parenthood Action Fund. Together, we'll deliver every signature to Leavitt. You can help add to our momentum by forwarding this message to friends.
Here's what some others are saying about this proposal:
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 editorial3 Â
[It's] a spectacular act of complicity with the religious right... —RH Reality Check, Information and Analysis for Reproductive Health4
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 organization5Can you help send a loud message to Secretary Leavitt that birth control is NOT abortion? Clicking here will sign your name:
http://pol.moveon.org/contraception/o.pl?id=13467-9705740-sqLcGKx&t=4
Thanks for all you do.
–Nita, Laura, Patrick S., Adam G., and the rest of the team
 Â
Sources:
1. "Redefining abortion; Federal officials considering a rule allowing health care workers to refuse to provide contraceptives," Houston Chronicle, August 10, 2008
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/editorial/5935532.html
2. Letter to Secretary Mike Leavitt from Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and 26 other senators, July 23, 2008
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=4042&id=13467-9705740-sqLcGKx&t=5
3. "Redefining abortion; Federal officials considering a rule allowing health care workers to refuse to provide contraceptives," Houston Chronicle editorial, August 10, 2008
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/editorial/5935532.html
4. "HHS Moves to Define Contraception as Abortion," RH Reality Check, July 15, 2008
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=4041&id=13467-9705740-sqLcGKx&t=6
5. "White House Considering Contraception Restrictions," Public News Service, August 11, 2008
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=4040&id=13467-9705740-sqLcGKx&t=7
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Comments: 20
You got my attention and sig!
Then the poor husbands that wouldn't be getting any... and if they do this they better take the little blue pill away too. If we can't have fun neither can the old farts in office.
Just to let you know another viewpoint, one against birth control, I have a friend who believes it is a WOMAN's J O B to say no and to control the physical desires of her partner, and that birth control only serves to give permission to increased promiscuity among women. This type of thinking infuriates me as well!
My point is that when it comes to sex, some men don't care what a woman says, what she's wearing, what she looks like, or how old she is. Obviously, this woman did not have to worry about getting pregnant. But if it could happen to her, it could happen to any woman.
Obviously, this is not true of most men. But it does make the point that just dressing modestly and acting modestly does not automatically assure that a woman can control her reproductive destiny.
Sheeesh!
Wilka