Advocacy

May 18, 2012

The Washington Post Wonkblog quoted written testimony submitted by PRCH board member Willie Parker, MD, MPH, MSc, against H.R. 3803—a proposed ban for the District of Columbia on abortions after 20 weeks (post-fertilization)—for a hearing in the House Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on the Constitution. In his testimony, Dr. Parker noted: "While most women can look forward to a safe pregnancy, pregnancies can go terribly wrong."

Dr. Parker lives and practices in the District, and in his testimony, he shared stories of patients who had abortions after 20 weeks, care that should be an option for every woman. One of his patients was 23 1/2 weeks pregnant when "she discovered that her very desired pregnancy was complicated by a deadly fetal anomaly. She and her husband were distraught ... but resolute that abortion was the right decision for them." Read more in Dr. Parker's testimony, which also appears on RH Reality Check.

April 11, 2012

In protest of a Rhode Island bill that would require ultrasounds before abortions, PRCH board member and Adolescent Reproductive and Sexual Health Education Project faculty member Michelle Forcier, MD, MPH, submitted written testimony today to the state’s House Committee on the Judiciary. Dr. Forcier wrote, in part, "It would be wrong to enact a bill where the intended effect is to manipulate women or attempt to make them feel guilty." Read the rest of her testimony here.

March 13, 2012

Leadership Training Academy Fellow Andrea Angelucci, DO, wrote in USA Today: “A government-mandated sonogram won't change [my patient’s] mind, but it will cost her money and possibly make her ashamed of having a safe, legal medical procedure.” Read the rest here.

February 16, 2012

Last week, we were relieved that the Obama administration affirmed the need for affordable access to birth control for all women, regardless of where they work. But now Congress is considering companion bills that would allow any employer with a moral or religious objection to contraception to deny this insurance coverage to its employees. Tell your senators and representatives to stop this legislation and protect workers’ birth control coverage.

Today, Douglas Laube, MD, submitted written testimony to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform showing the importance of contraception to the health of women and families. At that hearing, Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) read one of the stories in Dr. Laube's testimony as part of her comments in support of requiring employers to cover birth control. Watch the video.

Read more physicians' stories about patients show why these bills must not pass. Millions of American women rely on birth control to stay healthy, and their health insurance must meet that need. Email your members of Congress today.