Senate Votes to Debate Health Care Bill Destructive to Reproductive Health Access
Statement by National Institute for Reproductive Health President Andrea Miller
“Today, Senate Republicans voted to open the floodgates and debate a harmful health care bill that would leave millions uninsured, devastating underserved communities. As drafted, the proposed bill would undo the benefits of the Affordable Care Act, which vastly improved women’s health and gave 55 million women affordable access to birth control. It would stifle access to reproductive health care and could threaten coverage for maternity services and other essential health benefits, limiting access to care for new mothers.
“The Senate’s decision to move forward with the bill and proposed amendments — germane to health care or not — reinforces that women’s health and reproductive rights are in extreme danger at the federal level. Now is the time for state and local advocates and legislators to lead our nation forward to protect and advance reproductive health.
“The National Institute for Reproductive Health will continue to arm states and cities across the country with the tools they need to pass legislation to safeguard access to the full range of reproductive health care, regardless of what happens in Washington, D.C. NIRH strongly urges U.S. Senators to listen to their constituents and their consciences and oppose this latest destructive health care bill that endangers the health and lives of millions of women.”