Obama and Reproductive Rights

Okay, it's been a while since I've posted on this here blog. I've been busy searching for a career and writing in my food blog. Anyhow, I thought I would take a moment to write about a very important action being undertaken by President Obama. Last year I posted a link to an Op-Ed written by Hillary Clinton regarding legislation being pushed by then President Bush. The bill basically protects providers working for recipients of federal money who refuse to offer abortion services or referrals. The act became effective January 20, 2009. Now Obama is working to reverse the rule, agreeing with others that the Civil Rights Act of 1964 already states that employers must make reasonable accommodations for an employee's religious belief and that, in turn, the bill really just works to trump state laws requiring coverage for contraception by insurers and coverage of emergency contraception in hospitals for rape victims.

Kudos to you, President Obama, for taking a step in protecting reproductive rights for women.

A step back for women's reproductive health globally

I got an email from Madre today about a very important issue. Here's information on the decision by USAID. To sign the petition, go here. Under McCain/Palin we will only get more of this. It's amazing how the leader of one country has such an effect worldwide.

Sign a petition: USAID recently pressured six countries in Africa to halt the supply of US-funded contraceptives to the well-respected international aid and reproductive health organization Marie Stopes International (MSI). This decision will endanger the lives of women in rural Africa who depend on the contraceptives that MSI provides in order to safely control their own reproductive health.

Hillary on reproductive health care

You see people, this is a woman who is actually fighting for the progress of women (unlike another woman who is in high political contention). No matter how you feel about Hillary, she knows her stuff when it comes to health care in this country. Here is an Op-Ed published in the NY Times last week, on new legislation being pushed by the Bush Administration.