Sen. Hillary Clinton's blog http://www.rhrealitycheck.org/blog/1611/atom/feed 2008-07-21T13:48:03-04:00 Bush Administration's Latest Ploy, Ideology Before Women's Health http://www.rhrealitycheck.org/blog/2008/11/20/the-bush-administrations-latest-ploy-put-ideology-before-womens-health 2008-11-20T16:41:44-05:00 2008-11-20T22:00:43-05:00 Sen. Hillary Clinton Earlier this month, our country participated in an historic election, as the American people voted for new leaders and a new direction.  In the thrill of this remarkable moment, however, we cannot forget that the Bush administration is still up to its old tricks. Unfortunately, until January 20th, 2009, we are governed by an administration who time and time again puts ideology ahead of women's health.

We have to stop the administration’s last minute attempt to undermine health care for those who need it most.  That's why Senator Murray and I today introduced critical legislation to suspend the Bush Administration's latest ploy to put ideology before women's health.

As many of you know, the rule being proposed by the administration would limit patients' access to basic reproductive health care services and information. The Protecting Patients and Health Care Act would prevent HHS from implementing this ill-conceived, midnight regulation.

Senator Murray and I have been speaking out against this rule since July when word of this regulation first came to light. The rule, as it was then proposed in August by the Department of Health and Human Services, is a serious threat to patients' access to information and care.

Then in September, Senator Murray and I had a very frank conversation with Secretary Leavitt about how this rule could create a slippery slope leading to patients being denied access to contraception and other important information or care. However, despite the important concerns we raised to the Secretary, a recent news report indicated that HHS is planning to release a final regulation in the coming days.

I am hopeful that members of Congress from both sides of the aisle will join in fighting for passage of this important piece of legislation to protect patients' rights and health care. And we join President-Elect Obama, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and hundreds of thousands of concerned Americans who have written to HHS opposing this unconscionable proposal. I urge Secretary Leavitt to make his decision on behalf of women's health. Thank you.

]]> An Outrageous Attempt by the Bush Administration to Undermine Women's Rights http://www.rhrealitycheck.org/blog/2008/07/21/an-outrageous-attempt-bush-adminstration-undermine-womens-rights 2008-07-21T12:20:00-04:00 2008-07-21T13:48:03-04:00 Sen. Hillary Clinton The Bush Administration is up to its old tricks again, quietly putting ideology before science and women's health. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is poised to put in place new barriers to accessing common forms of contraception like birth control pills, emergency contraception and IUDs by labeling them "abortion." These proposed regulations set to be released next week will allow healthcare providers to refuse to provide contraception to women who need it. We can't let them get away with this underhanded move to undermine women's health and that's why I am sounding the alarm.

These rules pose a serious threat to providers and uninsured and low-income Americans seeking care. They could prevent providers of federally-funded family planning services, like Medicaid and Title X, from guaranteeing their patients access to the full range of comprehensive family planning services. They'll also build significant barriers to counseling, education, contraception and preventive health services for those who need it most: low-income and uninsured women and men.

The regulations could even invalidate state laws that currently ensure access to contraception for many Americans. In fact, they describe New York and California's laws requiring prescription drug insurance plans to provide coverage for contraceptives as part of "the problem." These rules would even interfere with New York State law that ensures survivors of sexual assault and rape receive emergency contraception in hospital emergency rooms.

We've seen this kind of ideologically driven move from the Bush Administration before. Senator Patty Murray and I went toe to toe with the Bush Administration to demand a decision on Plan B by the FDA. We won that fight and we need to win this one too.

When I learned about these proposed rules, I immediately joined with Senator Murray to call on the Bush Administration to stop these dangerous plans. I am joining with New York family planning and healthcare advocates to spread the word. Now is the time to raise our voices. I will continue to press HHS and I hope you will join me. I have posted information on how to get involved at www.hillpac.com.

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