TITLE: 28 Reasons We're Still Fighting for Choice (And you should too)

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DATE: January 24

When the Supreme Court issued its landmark Roe v. Wade decision in 1973, many who supported a woman's right to choose thought that a long struggle was finally over. But in some ways it had only begun: 28 years later we are still fighting to ensure that all women have the full range of reproductive choices, including family planning, abortion, and healthy pregnancy and childbirth. We continue the struggle because pro-choice activism can create access to essential reproductive health services. And we continue because opponents of a woman's right to choose are fighting ceaselessly to take away every advance we have made. Below are 28 of the reasons that we continue to fight for Choice in 2001: 1. The most anti-choice Governor in the U.S. now holds the nation's highest office. 2. For the first time since Roe v. Wade, we have an anti-choice House, Senate and President. 3. Before Roe v. Wade, illegal and unsafe abortion claimed women's lives throughout America. If abortion were once again illegal, women would still have abortions, but they would be unsafe. 4. As of January 2001, the Supreme Court is only two votes away from outlawing abortion again. 5. President George W. Bush is attempting to fill his administration with anti-choice extremists like John Ashcroft and Tommy Thompson. Ashcroft and Thompson not only have the power to do severe damage to our reproductive rights but prove how serious Bush is about advancing his anti-choice agenda. 6. After prolonged pro-choice activism and anti-choice political maneuvering, mifepristone is finally available to women in the U.S. - more than a decade after it was first available to women in France, Sweden, Great Britain and elsewhere. 7. Support for a woman's right to choose acknowledges the variety of religious and philosophical beliefs in today's society. 8. 33% of California counties have no identifiable abortion provider. Nationwide, the percentage is 86% overall, to 96% in rural counties. 9. Extremists opposed to Roe v. Wade have carried out a campaign of harassment, intimidation, bombing, arson, anthrax threats, and even murder - and they show no signs of ending their assault on a woman's right to choose. 10. 64% of states prohibit most government funding for abortion, putting it out of reach for many poor women. 11. Women who need hospital-based abortions may not be able to get them: only 5% of California's hospitals are abortion-accessible. 12. United States servicewomen overseas can't get abortions in military hospitals, even if they are willing to pay for the procedure with their own money. Federal employees can't choose a health plan that covers abortion. 13. Catholic hospitals are taking over non-religious hospitals at a record rate, eliminating abortions, tubal ligations, birth control and emergency contraception. Currently, Catholic Healthcare West is the largest hospital group in California. 14. Thanks to pro-choice elected officials and activists, California women can get contraceptives through insurance plans that cover other prescription drugs. Insurance companies in California, and the rest of the country, have fought for years to be able to exclude contraceptives -- even though they were eager to cover Viagra. 15. Legislatures nationwide are trying to outlaw specific abortion procedures, interfering in the most intimate of physician-patient relationships. 16. Only 12% of OB-Gyn residency programs in the United States offer routine training in abortion. 17. School districts across the country are increasingly implementing "abstinence only" programs that offer students misinformation and threaten their ability to make responsible decisions. These programs are often mandated by anti-choice legislatures along with bans on any other form of sex education. 18. Parental notification and consent laws that are enforced in 32 states - and are regularly advanced as legislative bills or ballot initiatives in California - endanger the health and well-being of minors, who may resort to desperate measures rather than tell their parents they're contemplating abortion. 19. Only 1% of U.S. women have ever used emergency contraception, although it is up to 89% effective at preventing unintended pregnancy. 20. An internet "hit list" advocates murdering abortion providers and people who support the right to choose - and a new list is geared toward mifepristone providers. 21. Teenagers need access to family planning advice and contraceptives in order to avoid pregnancy. Yet anti-choice activists and politicians successfully restrict access to education, contraception and abortion for teens. 22. Pro-choice activism increases our options - two emergency contraceptive kits that arrived on the market in the late 1990's have the potential to prevent millions of unwanted pregnancies. 23. Even when birth control is available, it is never foolproof; abortion will be needed as long as birth control can fail. 24. Reproductive choice is one of the gains of the 20th century, along with suffrage for women and gains made in the civil rights era. 25. Many anti-abortion activists and groups trying to overturn Roe v. Wade oppose abortion even in cases of rape, incest or life endangerment. Many also oppose making contraceptives better or more accessible, which would obviously prevent many abortions. 26. With all the gains that women have made, it may seem as though the fight is over. But until women have control over their own bodies and reproductive health, equality will not be reached. 27. If abortion rights were firmly established, we could spend our time on preventing the need for abortion through public sexuality education and increased availability of contraception. 28. Come on - it's the year 2001 and we need to move forward with trust and compassion for women, not to strip women's hard-fought gains. Oppose the nominations of John Ashcroft and Tommy Thompson President-elect George W. Bush has announced two key Cabinet nominations that will be disastrous for women's reproductive health: former Senator John Ashcroft (R-MO) as Attorney General and Governor Tommy Thompson (R-WI) as Secretary of Health and Human Services. John Ashcroft has a staunch anti-choice record. During his six years in the U.S. Senate, Ashcroft cast 42 anti-choice votes out of 43 votes on abortion and reproductive health. Ashcroft voted in favor of overturning Roe v. Wade and denying women a constitutional right to safe and legal abortion services. He co-sponsored a resolution calling for an amendment to the U.S. Constitution to ban abortion even in cases of rape or incest. The amendment also would outlaw some of the most common contraceptive methods, such as the pill, diaphragm and IUD. As Attorney General, Ashcroft would be responsible for implementing federal laws, including enforcement of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act (FACE). FACE, signed into law by President Clinton in 1994, has resulted in the criminal prosecution of people responsible for terrorizing abortion providers and clinics providing reproductive health services. With Ashcroft's strong anti-choice record, there is no assurance that FACE will be vigorously enforced by the Bush Administration. This would put the safety of clinics, doctors and patients at risk. Thompson's anti-choice record as Governor of Wisconsin is as solid as Ashcroft's. Thompson has stated abortions should be illegal except in cases of rape, incest, or life endangerment. He also signed legislation that prohibits the use of state, local or federal money to fund family planning and pregnancy-related programs, if those programs carry out any abortion-related services. If confirmed, Thompson would oversee the FDA Commissioner, who regulates mifepristone. CARAL is gravely concerned that Thompson would use this power to block access to mifepristone by limiting its production, sale and distribution - or worse yet by overturning the FDA decision. And as Secretary of Health and Human Services, Thompson would administer Title X, the oldest family planning program, which serves approximately 4.5 million women with services ranging from contraception to pap smears and breast cancer screening. PLEASE ACT IMMEDIATELY! Hearings on the Ashcroft and Thompson nominations begin January 16, 2001 and will continue through the end of the January. Please contact your Senators immediately, before the end of January, and urge them to oppose confirmation of Ashcroft and Thompson. Make sure to include your full name and address on all correspondence. What follows is information for Californians. If you live outside of California, find out how to contact your Senators by visiting http://www.senate.gov/senators/senator_by_state.cfm 1. Please write or fax Senator Dianne Feinstein and urge her to oppose Bush's extreme anti-choice nominations. Senator Feinstein has requested written documentation, but if you cannot write a letter, please call or email Senator Feinstein. Please feel free to use the sample letter provided below. 2. Please call, write, fax or email Senator Barbara Boxer to thank her for taking a strong and pioneering stand against Ashcroft, and urge her to oppose confirmation of Tommy Thompson. Please feel free to use the sample letter provided below. Read Senator Boxer's press release urging Bush to withdraw his nomination of Ashcroft. Sample messages for Senators Feinstein and Boxer follows.   Sample message for Feinstein: The Honorable Dianne Feinstein Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 Ph (202) 224-3841 Fax (202) 228-3954     Dear Senator Feinstein, I urge you to oppose the confirmation of John Ashcroft as Attorney General and Tommy Thompson as Secretary of Health and Human Services. Ashcroft and Thompson have extreme anti-choice records that are out of step with California, and America's, pro-choice majority. Their confirmation threatens to put women's reproductive health at serious risk. During his six years in the U.S. Senate, Ashcroft consistently voted in favor of overturning Roe v. Wade and denying women the constitutional right to safe and legal abortion services. He co-sponsored a resolution calling for an amendment to the U.S. Constitution to ban abortion even in cases of rape or incest. This amendment would also outlaw several of the most common contraceptive devices. Thompson has stated that abortion should be illegal except in cases of rape, incest, or life endangerment. As Governor of Wisconsin, Thompson signed legislation that prohibits the use of state, local or federal monies to fund family planning and pregnancy-related programs, if those programs carry out any abortion-related activities. If Ashcroft and Thompson are confirmed, access to critical reproductive health care services will be severely diminished. You have always supported women's reproductive health and rights. Please do so now and vote against Ashcroft and Thompson. Sincerely, YOUR NAME ADDRESS CITY, STATE, ZIP   Sample message for Boxer: The Honorable Barbara Boxer Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 Ph (202) 224-3553 Fax (415) 956-6701   Dear Senator Boxer, Thank you so much for taking a stand against John Ashcroft as Attorney General. Your position demonstrates your integrity, courage and concern for women's reproductive choice. Now, I urge you to oppose the confirmation of Tommy Thompson as Secretary of Health and Human Services. Thompson, like Ashcroft, has an extreme anti-choice record and his confirmation threatens to put women's reproductive health at serious risk. Thompson has stated that abortion should be illegal except in cases of rape, incest, or life endangerment. As Governor of Wisconsin, Thompson signed legislation that prohibits the use of state, local or federal monies to fund family planning and pregnancy-related programs, if those programs carry out any abortion-related activities. As Secretary of Health and Human Services, Thompson would administer Title X, the oldest family planning program, which serves approximately 4.5 million women with services ranging from contraception to pap smears and breast cancer screening. Moreover, Thompson would oversee the U.S. Surgeon General and the Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) who regulates mifepristone (formerly known as RU-486). I am gravely concerned that Thompson would use this power to block access to mifepristone by limiting its production, sale and distribution - or worse yet by overturning the FDA decision. If Thompson is confirmed, access to critical reproductive health care services will be severely diminished. Please vote against Thompson. Sincerely, YOUR NAME ADDRESS CITY, STATE, ZIP END top