Tell President Obama that all women deserve access to birth control

A decision by the Obama Administration will come down very soon that could expand the religious exemption to our recent hard-won victory of contraception without co-pays for new insurance plans. That would mean that Latinas who work for religiously-affiliated schools, universities and hospitals will be denied coverage for birth control. Tell President Obama to support full reproductive rights, including access to birth control for all women, and reject efforts that put the preferences of insurance companies and employers over the right of women to make their own contraceptive health decisions in consultation with their doctors.

TWO WAYS you can take action:

1. Use the form below to send an email to President Obama.

2. Phone calls also make a huge difference, so take a few minutes to call the White House at the number listed below and say: "I urge President Obama to reject the expansion of the religious exemption in the Affordable Care Act." It's easy and a friendly operator will take your message to the President.

Eliminating expensive co-pays could open the door for many Latinas, who are disproportionately poor, to finally access the birth control of their choice! Latinas and all women deserve access to birth control without co-pays because it prevents unintended pregnancies and keep our families healthy.

Tell President Obama you believe in accessible and affordable preventive health!

Subject:

Your Letter:

Dear President Obama,

I am writing in strong support of the Department of Health and Human Services' decision to adopt the Institute of Medicine recommendations for women's preventive health services, including contraception, to be covered by all new health plans and provided with no cost sharing. This policy represents a huge step forward for Latinas’ health and it would not have been possible without the passage of the landmark health care law.
 
However, I am deeply concerned about the exemption allowing some religious employers to opt out of this policy. The reality is that birth control use is nearly universal in the United States: 98% of sexually experienced women will have used birth control at some point in their lives, including Catholic women. Latinas, including Catholic Latinas, resoundingly support the women’s preventive coverage benefit. In fact, 89 percent of Latina voters aged 18 to 34 support the requirement that health plans cover birth control at no cost.

I urge you to reject an exemption for religious hospitals and universities that serve and employ people of diverse faiths. Taking away this benefit from millions of Latinas and their families has no basis in the law, is bad health policy, and is contrary to overwhelming public opinion.
 
Sincerely,

President Barack Obama

Phone:(202) 456-1111

Fax:(202) 456-2461