NCJW Launches Campaign to Save Reproductive Rights
March 3, 2011, Dallas, TX – At its triennial convention today in Dallas, Texas, the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) launched an emergency campaign — Voices for Reproductive Choices — to combat efforts in Congress that would strike a grievous blow to women’s access to reproductive health care, including safe, legal abortion and family planning. NCJW President Nancy Ratzan and NCJW CEO Nancy K. Kaufman released the following statement:
“Women are facing an increasingly aggressive effort in Congress to make abortion and even family planning services inaccessible to the vast majority of women in the US. HR 217 would eliminate funding for providers in the Title X public family planning program, such as Planned Parenthood, even if they use only private dollars for abortion care. Planned Parenthood is the nation’s largest provider of family planning services. The “No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act” (HR 3) would make abortion care unattainable for women who receive health coverage through the federal government and those who have coverage under the new health care law and through the private market. The so-called “Protect Life Act” (HR 358) would deny women access to abortion-inclusive insurance coverage in the new health care system — even if they pay for it with their own funds.
“Taken together, these proposals would eviscerate women’s ability to make decisions about their own reproductive health, reversing decades of progress in winning women’s right to reproductive health care.
“Throughout our history, NCJW has fought for the protection of every woman’s right to reproductive choices, including safe and legal abortion, and the elimination of obstacles that limit reproductive freedom. We know that reproductive freedom is integrally bound up with religious freedom — legislating one religious viewpoint on these very personal issues would restrict religious liberty for all.
“Voices for Reproductive Choices will mobilize NCJW’s membership and the broader pro-choice Jewish community to reach out to Congress and to the general public. A majority of Americans support family planning and abortion rights. We are confident that once they are mobilized, we can turn back this extreme attack on women.”
The National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) is a grassroots organization of volunteers and advocates who turn progressive ideals into action. Inspired by Jewish values, NCJW strives for social justice by improving the quality of life for women, children, and families and by safeguarding individual rights and freedoms.
Contact: Emily Alfano
202 296 2588 × 5; emily@ncjwdc.org