FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 15, 2007

Contact: Rebekah Orr, 503-986-1904

House Democrats Celebrate Expanded Fairness in Women’s Health Care

Access-to-Birth Control Bill will guarantee contraceptive equity in health plans, access to emergency contraception for victims of rape and incest

Salem—House Democrats today celebrated a long-fought, hard-won effort today to increase fairness in women’s health care by expanding access for Oregon women to prescription birth control and to guarantee victims of rape or incest access to emergency contraception. House Bill 2700, dubbed the “Access to Birth Control” bill, passed the Oregon House on a bipartisan vote.


“Contraceptive equity isn’t just about women’s health care,” said State Representative Tobias Read (D-Beaverton) “It is about the health of our communities. When women have access to basic health care, they are better able to contribute financially, socially and intellectually to their families, their workplaces and their communities.”


Democrats said the bill is needed because nearly half of all health insurance plans still don’t provide cover contraceptives that are part of women’s basic health care, leaving many women to pay out of pocket for these prescriptions. More than half of the states in this country have already enacted contraceptive equity laws similar to HB 2700.


“The same insurance companies who deny coverage for this essential part of women’s health care, are providing prescription drug coverage for cosmetic prescriptions,” said State Representative Ben Cannon (D-Portland), speaking in support of the bill before the vote. “It is time for Oregon to correct this inequity.”


State Representative Mary Nolan (D-Portland) also said, that the bill makes good business sense: “Covering contraceptives is cost-effective. Pregnancy, prenatal care and delivery are far more expensive than birth control—to insurers and Oregon businesses, especially when complications develop.”


Democrats also said the bill is critical because Oregon has an obligation to ensure that victims of rape and incest receive the most compassionate medical care possible following an attack or abuse.


“As a former police officer with nearly 30 years of experience, I’ve seen first hand the devastation that results from a sexual assault,” said State Representative Jeff Barker (D-Portland). “Victims of rape and incest have better outcomes when they receive prompt medical care and support, including information about and access to emergency contraception.”


“By providing this basic care, we can help keep victims of rape and incest from undergoing the additional trauma of an unintended and unwanted pregnancy,” said State Representative Jean Cowan (D-Newport). “Emergency contraception to prevent pregnancy from a sexual assault is a safe, effective and humane option for sexual assault victims.”


Following the vote, Democrats reminded media that today’s vote was the culmination of a long struggle for fairness in women’s health care.


“I’m pleased to see bipartisan support for a bill that so many Oregonians believe is fair, but has been blocked from a vote by a few for so long,” said House Majority Leader Dave Hunt (D-Clackamas County).


“In casting this vote today, we stand on the shoulders of giants,” said State Representative Tina Kotek. “Generations of women in our nation and in Oregon have fought for fairness in women’s health care and, with dogged determination in the face of many bitter defeats, made the change created today possible.”

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