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Breaking News from America's Progressive Community... Latest Releases
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| OCTOBER 15, 1998
5:50 PM FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: NARAL |
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| Contraceptive Coverage Restored; NARAL Hails Victory For Federal Employees | ||||
| WASHINGTON -
October 15 - NARAL President Kate Michelman today called the restoration of contraceptive coverage for federal employees the most dramatic step forward in women's reproductive health since the enactment of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act in 1994. Michelman said the restoration of this provision, which had been arbitrarily stripped from the FY 99 Treasury, Postal Appropriations Conference report even though the amendment passed both the House and Senate, will make a measurable difference in the lives of the 1.2 million women who will now have full contraceptive coverage as part of their federal health plans. She said it also exposes the hypocrisy of those extreme Members who equate contraception with abortion. "The failed attempts by anti-choice/anti-family planning Members show just how much these Members are out of step with the majority of Americans who support reducing the need for abortion by increasing access to contraception," said Michelman. Michelman said the nation's federal employees are greatly indebted to Representative Nita Lowey (D-NY) and Senators Olympia Snowe (R-ME) and Harry Reid (D-NV), along with the White House, for their efforts to push for this critical health care coverage in the face of strident opposition. "This was indeed a hard-fought battle by pro-choice and pro-family planning Members who support, as the majority of Americans do, making abortion less necessary. The nation's federal employees deserve fair and affordable access to this important preventive health care and next year, we will work to extend contraceptive coverage to all women." said Michelman. Since abortion opponents took control of Congress in 1995, they have voted 103 times on choice issues. They have won all but 15 of those votes. ### |
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