Shaheen Amendment
Reproductive Health Services in the Military: It's Time to Stop Denying Servicewomen the Basic Rights For Which They Fight
by Kelsey Holt, Ibis Reproductive Health
and Kate Grindlay, Ibis Reproductive Health
January 16, 2012 - 11:45am (Print)
Military servicewomen fight for our country and our rights yet are denied access to basic reproductive health care. They face shockingly high rates of sexual assault and rape, yet are denied access to legal services. We urge policymakers in 2012 to put politics aside and support the women serving our country through policies that put their needs and wellbeing first, as they do ours.
Concerned Women for America's Condescending Treatment of Our Female Troops
by Amanda Marcotte, RH Reality Check
December 4, 2011 - 12:28pm (Print)
Concerned Women for America sent out a letter protesting abortion coverage for raped service women. In their estimation, since you can't go back in time and un-rape the victim, there's no reason to offer post-rape care to mitigate the damage.
Follow Amanda Marcotte on Twitter, @amandamarcotte
A "Cure-All" For Rape? Concerned Women For America Not Very Concerned About Women At All
by Vicki Saporta, National Abortion Federation
December 1, 2011 - 9:03am (Print)
In an outrageous demonstration of just how little they know about sexual violence and rape, Concerned Women for America sent Senators a letter asserting raped servicewomen should not be offered abortion care as a "cure-all." Saying abortion is a "cure-all" for rape is like saying a band aid is a cure-all for cancer. Tell CWA that there is no "cure-all" for rape and send them a band aid.
Why All 100 Senators Should Support Access to Abortion in Cases of Rape in the Military
by Jessica Arons, Center for American Progress and Center for American Progress Action Fund
November 30, 2011 - 7:12pm (Print)
The Shaheen Amendment currently has 12 cosponsors. It should have all 100. This amendment should be entirely non-controversial and should appeal even to those who generally oppose abortion but are sympathetic to its need in cases of rape or incest. Even the Hyde Amendment — the original ban on government coverage for abortion — allows for abortion in those circumstances.
Follow Jessica Arons on Twitter, @jrarons
Iraq Veteran Discusses Sexual Assault in the U.S. Military
Iraq War veteran discusses her experience with sexual assault in the military, and draws attention to the negligence with which it is treated, and the possible enormous number of unreported, unprosecuted rapes that are committed by male soldiers upon their female soldiers. It is extremely important that while such circumstances persist, military women receive the reproductive health care they need.
Her Service and Sacrifice Demand Fairness and Equal Treatment from Congress
If our brave military women are willing to protect our freedoms, we should protect their freedoms as well.
Military Leaders Standing Up for Servicewomen in Support of Shaheen Amendment
Flag officers in the United States Armed Forces have signed a letter of support for the pending Shaheen Amendment to the FY 12 National Defense Authorization Act (S. 1867) that would provide servicewomen and military dependents with abortion coverage in cases of rape and incest.
Standing Up for Servicewomen: Rape Survivors Deserve Access to Abortion Care
by Vicki Saporta, National Abortion Federation
November 28, 2011 - 2:27pm (Print)
Servicewomen rely on the military for their health care, but under current policy they are left to fend for themselves if they become pregnant after being raped.
