NARAL Pro-Choice America Praises Sens. Reid, Clinton and Murray for Protecting Women's Access to Contraception

Washington, DC- Nancy Keenan, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America, applauded the amendment introduced by Senators Harry Reid (D-NV), Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY), and Patty Murray (D-WA) to protect state laws that require insurance companies to offer contraceptive equity.

The amendment was offered to S.1955, a bill introduced by Sen. Mike Enzi (R-WY). Enzi's bill would allow health-insurance companies to exempt certain health plans from following these laws. If the Senate were to pass the bill without the Reid-Clinton-Murray amendment, women who live in the 25 states that require insurance plans to cover birth control equitably could lose that protection.

"Americans will let their senators know that allowing insurance companies to cut benefits is unacceptable. We applaud Senators Reid, Clinton, and Murray for standing up for the values of freedom and privacy with this amendment," said Nancy Keenan, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America.  "In America, 98 percent of American women use birth control at some point in their lives. It is basic health care, yet the anti-choice Senate leadership is pushing a bill that would allow insurance companies to pay for Viagra but refuse to cover essential health care like birth control. The Senate should unify behind common-ground proposals to prevent unintended pregnancies and reduce the need for abortion. The Enzi bill flies in the face of commonsense. Voters all across America will remember this November which senators supported the Reid-Clinton-Murray amendment and which ones voted to take away women's access to birth control."

Twenty-five states through comprehensive laws or regulations now ensure that health insurance plans that cover prescription drugs provide equitable coverage for contraceptives: AZ, AR, CA, CT, DE, GA, HI, IL, IA, ME, MD, MA, MO, MT, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, RI, VT, WA, WV and WI.

Contact:
Ted Miller, 202.973.3032