Congresswoman Matsui on Administration Decision to Uphold Contraceptive Rule

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, January 20, 2012

CONTACT: ALANA JUTEAU
(202) 225-7163

Congresswoman Matsui on Administration Decision to Uphold Contraceptive Rule
Ahead of Roe v. Wade Anniversary, Matsui Commends Decision, Condemns House Republicans' Anti-Women Agenda

Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced that they will uphold a recent rule requiring employers that offer workers health insurance to include access to contraception with no out-of-pocket cost. While the rule itself will remain unchanged, the Administration will grant some religious organizations a one-year delay before they must comply. The rule, which was enacted as part of the Affordable Care Act, will ensure that women have access to the Institute of Medicine's full range of recommended preventive services.

"I applaud the Obama Administration and Secretary Sebelius for upholding this important rule," said Congresswoman Matsui. "Women should be granted access to the full range of reproductive services, not just pieces. Contraceptive services are essential in helping women have healthy, planned pregnancies; I will continue working to see that women's health services are advanced, not reversed."

Congresswoman Matsui has been a constant advocate for women's rights and health services, and has fought back against the many anti-choice, anti-women votes of the 112th Congress. Immediately upon taking the Majority, House Republicans attempted to repeal the Affordable Care Act - landmark legislation that, among its many benefits, provides critical preventive care services to women and no longer treats being a woman as a andlsquo;pre-existing condition.' Following this, Republicans brought up H.R. 1, which contained the Pence amendment to bar federal funding to Planned Parenthood and also defunded Title X family planning programs. The bill passed the House on February 19, 2011, but did not progress in the Senate.

Shortly after, H.R. 3, the "No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act", passed the House without the Congresswoman's support. This extreme anti-choice bill would have effectively raised taxes for women and families who purchase health coverage that includes abortion services. This fall, the House also considered H.R. 359, the Protect Life Act. Under this legislation, women would no longer be able to spend their own money in health care exchanges to purchase insurance covering full reproductive services. It would also allow hospitals to deny life-saving care to women. And these are just the most egregious examples of the Republican House's anti-women's health agenda.

Matsui added, "Time and again, House Republicans have put personal ideology above women's health and care. From denying reproductive services, to attempting to eliminate funding to programs that do, the House of the 112th Congress has led a constant campaign against women. As we approach the 39th anniversary of Roe v. Wade this Sunday, I call on House Republicans to put politics aside and work for the good of all Americans, including women."

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