Congress, We Want Equal Health Care for All Women

Congress is about to make it even harder for minority and low-income women to get the health care they deserve.

H.R. 3, or the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act sponsored by Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.), seeks to "permanently end any U.S. government financial support for abortion whether it be direct funding or by tax credits or any other subsidy." This means that while abortions are still legal medical procedures, those who cannot afford one on their own will be forced to carry an unwanted pregnancy.

H.R. 3 only widens the gap between the haves and the have-nots. If a woman can afford an abortion on her own, she has access to reliable and safe health care. If she can't, she must either carry the child or find a ìback-alleyî abortionist who is willing to operate for less, often at the expense of the woman's health. The bill will also make it more difficult for women to get health care plans that cover abortion by giving insurance companies incentives to not offer them.

This bill has been presented to Congress and could go up for a full vote soon. Tell Congress that every woman should have equal access to health care.