Linda Sánchez: “All Women Deserve Contraception Access” (Feb 28, 2012)
February 28, 2012
Washington, DC—Congresswoman Linda Sánchez (CA-39) today released the following statement after Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee challenged whether all women should have access to contraception. House Republicans called today’s hearing in response to the Obama Administration’s decision to ensure all women have access to contraception by requiring health insurance companies to cover contraception in cases where religiously affiliated employers object.
“All women deserve access to contraception. What is being debated before the Committee has nothing to do with religious liberty. The regulations that the Obama Administration adopted were developed by an objective, non-partisan panel. This hearing has everything to do with House Republicans trying to control the decisions best left to a woman and her doctor.
“All women should have access to birth control regardless of where they work and how much money they make. Despite what many of my colleagues believe, contraception is not a cheap, easily accessible solution for all women. Nearly a third of women risk health problems by inconsistently using birth control pills to save money.
“Birth control is preventive health care. Studies have shown that birth control has prevented 100,000 deaths and 200,000 occurrences of ovarian cancer. On top of that, a large percentage of women use the Pill for other health reasons, not for contraceptive purposes. Millions of women would be denied this medical care should these regulations not go into effect.
“Most importantly, birth control is a matter of individual choice. That choice should be made a woman, not her employer.”
Background
Since coming to Congress, Linda Sánchez has fought to protect women’s health services. In 2009, Congresswoman Sánchez introduced the Gender Equity in Health Premiums Act, which ends discrimination against women by barring health insurance companies from charging women more for health care premiums than men. The Gender Equity in Health Premiums Act became part of the Affordable Care Act, which President Obama signed into law in 2010. Additionally, Congresswoman Sánchez consistently receives a 100% rating from the Planned Parenthood Action Fund based on her record of support for reproductive health and rights.
“All women deserve access to contraception. What is being debated before the Committee has nothing to do with religious liberty. The regulations that the Obama Administration adopted were developed by an objective, non-partisan panel. This hearing has everything to do with House Republicans trying to control the decisions best left to a woman and her doctor.
“All women should have access to birth control regardless of where they work and how much money they make. Despite what many of my colleagues believe, contraception is not a cheap, easily accessible solution for all women. Nearly a third of women risk health problems by inconsistently using birth control pills to save money.
“Birth control is preventive health care. Studies have shown that birth control has prevented 100,000 deaths and 200,000 occurrences of ovarian cancer. On top of that, a large percentage of women use the Pill for other health reasons, not for contraceptive purposes. Millions of women would be denied this medical care should these regulations not go into effect.
“Most importantly, birth control is a matter of individual choice. That choice should be made a woman, not her employer.”
Background
Since coming to Congress, Linda Sánchez has fought to protect women’s health services. In 2009, Congresswoman Sánchez introduced the Gender Equity in Health Premiums Act, which ends discrimination against women by barring health insurance companies from charging women more for health care premiums than men. The Gender Equity in Health Premiums Act became part of the Affordable Care Act, which President Obama signed into law in 2010. Additionally, Congresswoman Sánchez consistently receives a 100% rating from the Planned Parenthood Action Fund based on her record of support for reproductive health and rights.
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