Women and Health Care Reform: Being Female is NOT a Pre-existing Condition!

We're participating in the National Women's Law Center 24-hour blog-a-thon for the Women's Day of Action on Health Care Reform.

Why are women's voices especially needed in the health care reform debate? Because our health issues are being treated as non-essential by the (still largely male) Congress!

Health care coverage that doesn't include maternity services? Plans that cover prescriptions for Viagra but not for birth control pills, diaphragms or IUDs? Plans that exclude infants simply for being above or below normal weight ranges? Using rape, domestic violence, previous pregnancy, or c-section as a pre-existing condition to deny coverage? Eliminating coverage for abortion services from women who already have it? These ought to be bad dreams, but they're the reality of our current health care system, and the health care reform debate in Congress.

How can it be that the full health care needs of 51% of the population aren't really being taken into account? And what can we do to fix this ridiculous situation before it becomes codified in the new health care legislation?

Take Action NOW!
Call your member of Congress and urge strong support for women's care in the final health care reform bill! 
Sign the Courage Campaign's letter to Sen. Feinstein asking her to support a public option for everyone. 
Urge House Members to reject more abortion restrictions! 
Join the Women's Day of Action on Health Care Reform 
Protect coverage for full reproductive health services.
Tell Congress to eliminate "pre-existing conditions" as excuses for denial of coverage.