An Outrageous Attempt by the Bush Administration to Undermine Women's Rights

The Bush administration is up to its old tricks again, quietly putting ideology before science and women's health. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is poised to put in place new barriers to accessing common forms of contraception like birth control pills, emergency contraception and IUDs by labeling them "abortion." These proposed regulations set to be released next week will allow healthcare providers to refuse to provide contraception to women who need it. We can't let them get away with this underhanded move to undermine women's health and that's why I am sounding the alarm.

These rules pose a serious threat to providers and uninsured and low-income Americans seeking care. They could prevent providers of federally-funded family planning services, like Medicaid and Title X, from guaranteeing their patients access to the full range of comprehensive family planning services. They'll also build significant barriers to counseling, education, contraception and preventive health services for those who need it most: low-income and uninsured women and men.

The regulations could even invalidate state laws that currently ensure access to contraception for many Americans. In fact, they describe New York and California's laws requiring prescription drug insurance plans to provide coverage for contraceptives as part of "the problem." These rules would even interfere with New York State law that ensures survivors of sexual assault and rape receive emergency contraception in hospital emergency rooms.

We've seen this kind of ideologically driven move from the Bush administration before. Senator Patty Murray and I went toe to toe with the Bush administration to demand a decision on Plan B by the FDA. We won that fight and we need to win this one too.

When I learned about these proposed rules, I immediately joined with Senator Murray to call on the Bush administration to stop these dangerous plans. I am joining with New York family planning and healthcare advocates to spread the word. Now is the time to raise our voices. I will continue to press HHS and I hope you will join me. I have posted information on how to get involved here.

Crossposted at RH Reality Check.

Comments

[JayneQ]

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING OUT FOR US ONCE AGAIN HILLARY CLINTON. I AM STILL HEARTSICK THAT YOU WILL NOT BE OUR PRESIDENT, HOWEVER I APPRECIATE YOUR SKILLS ANY WAY WE CAN GET THEM.

[genseric13]

I agree with Hillary, the govt should fund contraception and abortion.

[icenzi]

Thank you for posting such a very urgent matter on Huffpo Ms Clinton even though they cheerleaded for Obama and dogged you during the whole campaign. It's good that you can look past that and inform us on such an important womens subject.

[Kungfublood]

Part and parcel of the republican dream of putting women back in their place!
Vote McCain! For an end of abortion (outside of the numerous republican war profit zones that is).

[3arthling]

Senator, I couldn't agree more.

Unfortunately, the current crop of Democrats was unwilling to step up and fight for the rule of law and the separation of powers, and now that bird has come home to roost.

[Jinxykb]

That's a very good point! But I hope you're wrong.

[theHardTruthFairy]

Excellent article!

The glaring omission is that this situation would not only continue under a potential McCain administration, but it would become even worse with more Republican appointed Supreme Court justices.

Hillary:
It's not too late to update your posting on what the Bush administration wants to do in the next 4 months to include what McCain would do for the next 4 years. Your full opinion is important!

[jckamaraj]

don't understand why the difference. if i need to buy a condom, it is not difficult. me and my wife shop together. but if a woman need access to the birth control or contraceptives why all the screaming. i don't think that all these religious right politicians who advise us, practice abstention themselves as a form of birth control.

if the parents decide that they can't have the baby, isn't it upto them to decide not the government or the religion.

[livesbythec]

It is so good hearing from you, Senator Clinton!
As a women, I thank you for being such an effective advocate for Women's issues. It is unfortunate that we have a renegade govenment that has drifted off path. It is imperative that we all speak up, particularly in regard to issues that have an ethical outcome as well.
Thanks again, Senator Clinton for shining a light on this important issue and I will do my best to let my voice be heard.

[sclucie]

Glad to see you back - and looking forward to all the great things that are ahead for you. It's a little disheartening to see your messages coming back at us from the McCain campaign, but I guess politics is politics. Thanks for the heads up on the last-stage attmepts by the Bush admin to destroy our rights as woman.

[anamorphicart]

I am hoping you will do everything in your power to elect Barack Obama president or the choice will be NO choice! If you listen to those who want disruption at the convention, they do not have any of your best interests in mind, only some kind of warped agenda to see McCain elected.

[mfsomom]

Very happy to see you back Hillary. Your voice will add the needed clout to this issue. Keep doing what you do best.

I hope your efforts over the summer and in to the fall for Barack Obama will pay dividends in November. Our nation needs a leader like him right now. And I also hope you will have a meaningful role in his cabinet. There is so much good the two of you, with a coalition of smart, articulate statesmen can offer our nation in its time of need...which is NOW.

[anastasiabeaverhousen]

Much nicer than I would have said, but AMEN.

[Marsangusidaho]

Senator Patty Murray of Washington is one of the most thoughtful, effective, and tenacious members of Congress. She doesn't get a lot of attention because she doesn't spend a lot of time seeking it. As the man whose seat she now occupies, the late Sen. Warren Magnuson, once said, "There are work horses and there are show horses." Sen. Murray is definitely a work horse who consistently wins the battles she takes on, no matter how long they take. A Murray/Clinton team effort must surely be unstoppable.

[glitz]

We need you on the Supreme Court!!

[DocThink]

Thanks, Senator Clinton, for getting back into the fray of lawmaking! You are very needed in the Senate and I appreciate your work in protecting a woman's right to choose when and if she will be a mother.

Great to see you back!

[heal57]

Birth control pills should be on shelves in local drug stores just like in Mexico. You should not HAVE to go to a doctor every few months to get a prescription. BC pills, morning after pills, whatever should be sold like aspirin. Crackpot conservatives; do not inflict your own consciences with mine. Amen.

[nualak]

I am with you 100%. Did you see McCain with his hand over his face when the reporter asked him if birth control pills should be paid for by health insurance companies, just like Viagra. He said he couldn't respond, as he hadn't studied the issue. My question is, with all these guys taking Viagra, who are they going to have sex with. Certainly no woman with an eye to the future is going to risk having sex without birth control because she could end up with a dozen kids. Oh yes, didn't Bush mention something not too long ago about "Man and Dog, or Man and Animal', when debating same sex marriage.

Go for it Sen. Clinton. You name will go down in history with Sen. Kennedy's as far as women's and all health issues are concerned.