Posts Tagged ‘ healthcare reform ’

In Support of Reproductive Rights on Roe v. Wade Anniversary

January 22, 2012
By Hello Ladies

Blog for Choice Day 2012For the 39th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the landmark Supreme Court ruling which made abortion legal in the United States, we are participating in NARAL Pro-Choice America’s Blog for Choice Day by answering the question: What will you do to help elect pro-choice candidates in 2012?

It’s an important question. According to NARAL, in 2011 26 states enacted anti-choice measures. And in the GOP presidential primary race, four anti-choice candidates are vying for the nomination.

In the good news category, on Friday the Obama administration announced it would uphold a ruling that will provide women access to birth control with no co-pays as part of the  Affordable Care Act. And today, President Obama issued a statement reaffirming his commitment to protecting a woman’s right to choose.  It read, “While this is a sensitive and often divisive issue- no matter what our views, we must stay united in our determination to prevent unintended pregnancies, support pregnant woman and mothers, reduce the need for abortion, encourage healthy relationships, and promote adoption.  And as we remember this historic anniversary, we must also continue our efforts to ensure that our daughters have the same rights, freedoms, and opportunities as our sons to fulfill their dreams.”

And ultimately, that’s what reproductive rights are all about. Choice and reproductive freedom are about a woman’s right to govern her own health and body, and lead her own life – and not to allow the government to make those decisions for her. So, to help elect pro-choice candidates in 2012 we will:

  • continue to assert that social issues are as important as economic issues in the election.
  • never shy away from political conversations because they are impolite. They are about our lives.
  • ask candidates, who purport to care about the sanctity of life, to take a stance on maternity leave policies, infant care and maternal health.
  • donate to pro-choice candidates.
  • volunteer on campaigns for the candidates we believe in.
  • go to the polls and vote.

 

 

If I Were Santa

December 14, 2011
By Hello Ladies

Santa's gift bagIf I were Santa, I’d be making my list and checking it twice. And here are the gifts I would give:

For Our Daughters: The gift of self-esteem and positive role models

The mass media perpetuates a message that women and girls’ value comes from beauty and sexuality – and it affects us. Sixty-five percent of women and girls have an eating disorder. Eighty percent of the op-ed pages are dominated by men. The number of women in senior management positions globally has gone from 24 to 20 percent from 2004 to 2009.

For Corporate America: More women in leadership positions

There is a large, and growing, body of research connecting women at the tops of organizations to a strong bottom line performance. However, women comprise 53 percent of new hires, but only 37 percent of managers, 26 percent of vice-presidents, and just 14 percent of executive committees.

 

For Working Mothers: Flexible work arrangements … and a day of rest

The life of a working mother is challenging. Flexible work arrangements give parents the ability to work more flexibly and better manage the challenges of work and family.

For Working Families: Passage of the Paycheck Fairness Act

According to the latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau, women earn, on average, just .78 cents for every dollar a man earns. And for women of color, the gap is much greater. Fair pay is not a woman’s issue, it’s a family issue. An estimated two-thirds of all U.S. households rely on a woman’s salary at least partially.”

For All Women: The ratification of CEDAW

The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) is an international treaty that supports fundamental human rights and equality for women around the world. CEDAW was adopted in 1979 by the United Nations General Assembly. To date, 186 of 193 countries have ratified the treaty. The United States has not.

For President Obama: The courage to stand up for women’s reproductive rights

Women helped President Obama get elected in 2008 and they can be expected to play a major role in the 2012 election too. In return, women need Obama to take a stronger stance on women’s rights, and in particular, women’s reproductive health – regardless of the pressures he’s facing from his opponents.

For the GOP: The Sanctity of Life

The US ranks poorly for infant mortality rates and maternal death rates; more than two women die every day from pregnancy related causes. Yet many lawmakers try to block women’s access to much-needed health services, supposedly  in the name of life. For Christmas, we want to give them the gift of truly honoring the sanctity of life – all life – and to see them work toward improving the health and life of mothers.

For Massachusetts: A woman Senator

Massachusetts has never sent a woman to the Senate. Although 51 percent of the U.S. population is female, women hold just 16.5 percent of the seats in Congress. That puts the US at 69th in the world for gender parity. We need more women in office.

For Victims of Domestic Violence: Hope

Domestic violence victims and their advocates need money to gain freedom from abuse, to protect children from abusive partners or ex-partners and develop public policy efforts related to domestic violence. Please donate and give them support and hope.

What gifts would you give? You can add to my list at The Skinny Scoop.

 

Catholic Bishops Are in Washington, and My Uterus, Again

December 4, 2011
By Hello Ladies

the pillThe all-male Catholic Bishops are weighing in on women’s reproductive rights again. This time they are upset about a requirement in the Affordable Care Act mandating employers offer free contraceptive coverage as part of health insurance policies beginning next August.

While there is an exemption in the law for some religious employers, primarily churches that employ mostly people of the same faith, the bishops say it is too narrowly defined and “even the ministry of Jesus and the early Christian Church would not qualify.” They want to see the exemption broadened to include universities, hospitals and clinics associated with religious organizations. Doing so would take away a key aspect of healthcare reform from countless women.

Said U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Service Kathleen Sebelius when the administration first announced the requirement last summer, “These historic guidelines are based on science and existing literature and will help ensure women get the preventive health benefits they need.”

But now it appears the White House is reconsidering. Following a meeting between Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, and President Obama, The New York Times reported, “Several lawmakers said administration officials had left them with the impression that the president was leaning toward a broader exemption.

“But the White House said Mr. Obama had not made a final decision and would listen to all points of view at a meeting of administration officials soon after he returns on Sunday from his trip to Asia.”

Contraception is part of preventative health services and should be accessible. Click here and tell the President that all women should have coverage of contraception without co-pays.

Women should be able to make health-related decisions in consultation with our doctors. We should be able to vote for our lawmakers on a ballot. And if we choose to practice a religion, we should be able to do that too. What we shoud not be subjected to is the beliefs of some dictating the laws of all. If the Catholic Bishops cannot trust their followers to live according to their doctrine, then they should examine why that is – not try to legislate compliance.

And you may find this interesting: The Pew Forum, in a recent report on religious lobbying, cited the Catholic Church as one of the largest religious lobbyists in Washington. Click here to see the tax status of religious and religion-related organizations that are located in the D.C. area and are involved in public policy.

Photo by Brains the Head

Pumping at Work: Breastfeeding Awareness Month

August 11, 2011
By Hello Ladies

Mother with baby at computerCorporate lactation programs. Private pumping rooms. Informed, supportive HR specialists. If you read enough Best-Places-to Work-for-Mothers articles, you might think this is the reality for mothers returning to work post-baby. But for many women, pumping at work has its challenges.

August is Breastfeeding Awareness Month, designed to remind us breast milk has many health benefits for both mother and baby. And there are benefits for businesses too. The World Alliance Breastfeeding Action (WABA) reports the benefits are significant, resulting in, “more satisfied, loyal employees and cost savings to the business” from a reduction in sick time for childrens’ illnesses and lower health insurance.  The organization recommends all businesses “create a maternity policy that supports women in their desire to breastfeed and create a dedicated space where women can express milk in privacy.”

But working women often face challenges when they return to their jobs after maternity leave. Finding the time and a private place to pump can be difficult. Storing milk and cleaning breast pump equipment can be frowned upon in employee break rooms, and working out a pumping plan can be an awkward conversation to have with an unsupportive boss. Even when a company is supportive, it can be exhausting for a new mother to pump milk, manage nighttime feedings and still perform on the job.

We’ve written about these challenges before:

Nursing: Through Rain, Spiders and Toilets

Savvy Gal Pumping

Real Stories of Maternity Leave

The Skinny on Breastfeeding

There is some good news on the breastfeeding front.  The Affordable Care Act does require employers with 50 or more employees to provide “reasonable break time for an employee to express breast milk for her nursing child for one year after the child’s birth.” And earlier this month, U.S. Representative Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY) and U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley introduced the Breastfeeding Promotion Act of 2011 which would expand those provisions to cover salaried employees who work in traditional office environments. Just last week, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced new guidelines for women’s preventive services that require health insurance companies to cover “breastfeeding support, supplies and counseling” so that “pregnant and postpartum women will have access to comprehensive lactation support and counseling from trained providers, as well as breastfeeding equipment.”

You can help support working mothers who want to breastfeed. If you’re a manager, find out what your company’s policies and accommodations are and voice your support for a family-friendly workplace. If you’re a soon-to-be working mother, plan ahead. Think about what accommodations you might need when you return to work and schedule a discussion with your HR representative or manager to discuss options. And regardless of your work situation, call your legislators and ask them to support theBreastfeeding Promotion Act of 2011.

Washington Makes Women’s Health a Priority

August 3, 2011
By Hello Ladies

The PillMore good news out of Washington (can you believe it?). The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) earlier this week announced new guidelines as part of the Affordable Care Act that require new health insurance plans to cover women’s preventive services including breastfeeding support, domestic violence screening, and contraception – without charging a co-payment or a deductible.

HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said in a statement, “These historic guidelines are based on science and existing literature and will help ensure women get the preventive health benefits they need.” In developing the guidelines, the HHS worked with the Institute of Medicine to do a review of women’s health needs and provide recommendations on preventive measures specifically for women.

According to the HHS website, women will have access to the following services without cost-sharing starting in August of next year:

  • well-woman visits;
  • screening for gestational diabetes;
  • human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA testing for women 30 years and older;
  • sexually-transmitted infection counseling;
  • human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) screening and counseling;
  • FDA-approved contraception methods and contraceptive counseling;
  • breastfeeding support, supplies, and counseling; and
  • domestic violence screening and counseling.

An amendment to the new regulation allows religious institutions that offer insurance to their employees a choice whether or not to cover contraception services.

Not only are these guidelines key to helping women get the medical services and treatments they require, they are key to women’s professional and financial security too. Giving women access to choice, support and tools makes the challenges of managing career and family that much easier.

This is progress.

 

 

 

 

 

 

News from Around the Web

May 5, 2011
By Hello Ladies

woman reading news

Here’s a quick roundup of news affecting women from around the world and the web.

Sixteen Democrats joined House Republicans in passing H.R. 3 to make sure taxpayer money can’t be used or abortions even though taxpayer funds already couldn’t be used for abortions. And in the process, they in essence they banned tax subsidies for private insurance plans that include coverage for abortion services. If this bill passes in the Senate, and many expect it will not, small businesses would have to make sure the plans they offer don’t cover abortion or risk losing tax credits afforded them by last year’s healthcare reform.

In more women-friendly political news, Florida’s Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz has been named  chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee.

One year after the senseless death of lacrosse player Yeardley Love, ESPN has published a story about the lessons learned and how the University of Virginia, “has worked to learn from the tragedy while encouraging its population to be more vigilant against domestic violence.”

And in Newsweek, Dan Mulhern from the Families and Work Institute has published his own lessons learned in a letter to his son. Mulhern tells him, “You need not fear strong women, or dismiss gentle men. And if you so choose, you’ll be a great stay-at-home or lead parent, giving and receiving incredible lessons and profound joy.”

 

 

Discuss Amongst Yourselves

April 20, 2011
By Hello Ladies

Sheryl Sandberg, Chief Operating Officer at Facebook, discusses why we have too few women leaders, at TED. It’s worth the watch.

And for more on why we have too few women speakers at TED, check this out from C.V. Harquail and then join the “She Should Talk at TED” group on Facebook

Two Ways to Mark the Anniversary of Healthcare Reform

March 24, 2011
By Hello Ladies

Obama signs healthcare reformOne year ago this week President Obama signed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Vice President Biden was right. It was a big *$% deal. The sweeping reform, which will go into full effect in 2014 will help the currently uninsured, extend benefits through parents’ policies to struggling young adults, offer new tax credits to small businesses and assist senior citizens with costly prescription costs.

The reform has particular significance for women who historically paid higher premiums than men and were penalized for their so-called pre-existing conditions like pregnancy, C-sections and yes, even, domestic violence. Pre-existing conditions can no longer be cause for not insuring someone. Under the reform, women can also access the preventative care that is so critical to their well-being including critical maternity care. The United States has a very high maternal mortality rate. In fact two women die due to pregnancy-related complications each day in the United States. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act covers folic acid supplements, breast feeding support programs and screening for pregnancy-related conditions including anemia, cervical cancer and hepatitis B. And critical to both pregnant and non-pregnant women, screenings for breast and osteoporosis are now more affordable and accessible.

It’s these gains that should spur women to remain engaged and watchful of the political process that still threatens the reform. The House of Representatives voted to repeal the healthcare act in January and opponents of the reform vow to take their fight to the Senate. The house also voted to defund Planned Parenthood which provides millions of people affordable healthcare including sex education, contraception, and screens for cervical and other cancers.

And separate but related attacks on women’s access to a full spectrum of healthcare are being waged at the state level all across the country. There are bills on the books that would require women to have mandatory spiritual counseling and sonograms prior to having an abortion. There are bills that would restrict health insurance from covering all reproductive treatments. There are proposals in play that would prohibit abortions even in life and death situations.

Women’s health is still one of the most hotly debated issues in Washington. We need to pay attention and advocate for ourselves. So as we mark the one year anniversary of the signing of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, we should all do two things. First, stay informed. Subscribe to our updates and feeds from other sites like the National Women’s Law Center and Moms Rising. And second, program your legislators’ phone numbers on your speed dial so you can let them know where you stand on the issues.

For more blog posts on healthcare reform and women, visit the National Women’s Law Center.

 

I Stand With Planned Parenthood

February 19, 2011
By Hello Ladies
I Stand with Planned Parenthood

House Votes to Defund Planned Parenthood

On Friday, the House of Representatives voted to defund Planned Parenthood. Planned Parenthood provides millions of women with birth control, cancer screenings, HIV testing, and other lifesaving services. Women without access to healthcare, women between jobs, women who need support, comfort and advice, all turn to Planned Parenthood.

When I moved out of my parents house for the first time, 3,000 miles from home, I used Planned Parenthood. I needed medical services and I had not yet found a primary care physician accepting patients. Planned Parenthood helped me as it has helped so many in this country.

Speaker Boehner’s Congress is waging an aggressive attack on women and reproductive health in the name of “life.” But defunding Planned Parenthood is not a pro-life move — it could harm too many. Show your support for Planned Parenthood, let your Senators know women need this resource, and sign this letter to Congress.

And take a moment to watch these courageous Congresswomen. This is why we need more women in Washington.

Act Now: Congress Introduces Harmful HR3 Legislation

February 2, 2011
By Hello Ladies

Speaker Boehner makes anti-women legislation a top priority.

No means no if you’re certain members of the GOP and the question is, “Does a woman control her own body?” But if you are a victim of rape, no means absolutely nothing. At least that will be the case if H.R. 3, a bill sponsored by Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.), is passed.

H.R. 3, is called the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortions Act, but it actually seeks to ban abortions in all but a very few instances including when the pregnant female was the subject of an act of “forcible rape.” Most of us blessed with female reproductive organs, and yes, brains, know that all rape is forcible rape. (An exception is Whoopi Goldberg who has her own definition of “rape rape.”) In writing the bill, Rep. Smith and his co-sponsors fail to define  ”forcible rape,” opening the door for a very scary interpretation of the could-be law. And they harm every victim of sexual assault past, present and future by supporting the idea that if there are no cuts and bruises, there is no rape.

Speaker John Boehner has made abortion a top priority and has said, “This common-sense legislation reflects the will of the people and deserves the support of the House.  It is one of our highest legislative priorities.  As such, I have directed that it receive the designation of H.R. 3.” This is our new reality ladies. We are dealing with a  Congress that seeks to impose their will on our health and our bodies, and unless we can prove we fought back hard and have the wounds to prove it, we don’t stand a chance.

What can you do? You can let your Representatives know that HR 3 is unacceptable. Contact them here. You can write letters to the editor and op-eds expressing your opposition. You can join the #DearJohn campaign on Twitter. You can sign the MoveOn petition.

But keep in mind, that while the language in the bill around rape is harmful, so is the bill itself. Currently, the Hyde Amendment restricts Medicaid funding for abortion.  But Hyde must be codified each year, and has been since it was introduced in 1976. Proponents of H.R. 3 seek to permanently codify Hyde and then take abortion restrictions a lot further. H.R. 3 would deny federal credits or subsidies to private health plans that cover abortion, even if the abortion is paid for using private funds. The new health care reforms allow insurers to accept federal subsidies if abortion services are covered with private funds. That would change under H.R. 3. And the bill would penalize employers offering plans that cover abortions by denying certain tax credits and deductions – to the businesses and the employees.

On the topic of abortion, Speaker Boehner once wrote, “… without respect for life, freedom is in jeopardy. When human life takes a back seat to other priorities – personal comforts, economics – freedom is diminished.” What happens, Mr. Speaker, when jobs, war and other national concerns take a back seat to a false crusade?

More than two women die every day in the United States from pregnancy related causes. Boehner, Smith and the other sponsors of H.R. 3 don’t seem motivated by that fact. Nor do they seem to be concerned about a recent report published in The New England Journal of Medicine that concluded, “The finding … does not support the hypothesis that there is an increased risk of mental disorders after a first-trimester induced abortion.” From the study: “The relative risk of a psychiatric contact did not differ significantly after abortion as compared with before abortion (P=0.19) but did increase after childbirth as compared with before childbirth (P<0.001).”

But Boehner’s not worried about women who give birth. “Women – especially minors – need to know about the risks of and alternatives to abortion … and I’ll continue to stand with all who seek to have a positive and meaningful impact in defending the right to life.”

Look, I’ve got way too much residual Catholic upbringing in me to ever take abortion lightly. And I know what it is to love a fetus – I miscarried at ten weeks. But those are my religious remnants and my personal emotions. They have no bearing on the fact that all women must have the right to control their own bodies and their own health. Period. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) referred to HR3 as, “a violent act against women in and of itself.” From the reframing of rape, to the impact on small businesses, to the attempt to control a woman’s right to control her body, H.R. 3 is harmful.

Take action and let Congress know that you too want to, “reduce the footprint of government in our lives,” starting with your body.

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