Challenging Anti-Choicers on Birth Control

Aha. It seems pro-choice groups are beginning to slowly get it. This is from NARAL:

What is 98%?

- 98% of American women have used a form of birth control during their reproductive lives.
- 98% is an overwhelming majority.
- 98% is our call to national leaders: Stop blocking women's access to birth control.

On March 7 we want you to be a part of NARAL Pro-Choice America's Prevention First national Day of Action that calls on state and federal leaders to support women's access to birth control. Click here to find out how you can be a part of it.

Why a campaign to promote responsible family planning? Because we believe that women should be empowered to prevent unintended pregnancy, not punished for being responsible. Instead of divisive attacks on women's reproductive freedom, we are asking for lawmakers to unify behind common-sense measures to prevent unintended pregnancy and reduce the need for abortion.

The hypocrisy of taking away a woman's right to choose while also taking away her ability to prevent pregnancy is outrageous. Pharmacists are refusing to fill prescriptions for birth control. Unproven and scientifically inaccurate "abstinence-only" programs are being forced on our kids by the Bush administration. And politically motivated delays at the FDA are blocking over-the-counter access to the "morning-after" pill.

Well, enough is enough. American women deserve better.

With an overwhelming majority of the American public on our side, we can do more than just shut down these anti-birth-control measures. We can make real progress for women's access to contraception. Click here to sign our petition which will be deliverd to every member of the California Congressional Delegation.

Here's what we're asking our leaders to do though our national Day of Action:

1. Pass the Real Education About Life Act ("REAL": S.368/H.R.2553) to set up the first-ever federal sex-education program for young people.

2. Pass the Access to Legal Pharmaceuticals Act ("ALPhA": S.809/H.R.1652) to ensure that a woman receives her prescription contraception, in spite of rogue pharmacists who want to give them lectures instead.

3. Pass the Equity in Prescription Insurance Contraceptive Coverage Act ("EPICC": S.1214/H.R.4651) to ensure that prescription birth control is covered equally with other prescription drugs.

4. Pass the Compassionate Assistance for Rape Emergencies Act ("CARE": S.1264/H.R.2928) to ensure that survivors of sexual assault are offered emergency contraception in the emergency room.

5. Pass the Prevention First Act (S.20/H.R. 1709) to increase funds for family-planning services, ensure contraceptive equity in health-insurance plans, and improve women's access to emergency contraception, among other things.