Women’s Rights

Action Alert: Tell Governor Ducey to veto SB 1318 today

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What Donna Gratehouse refers to as the “Lady Money Is Not Real Money” bill, SB 1318 (.pdf), passed the Senate on Wednesday and has been transmitted to the governor. Affordable Care Act abortion bill goes to the governor:

uterus-stateOn an 18-11 margin the Arizona Senate on Wednesday gave final approval to legislation barring Arizonans who purchase health insurance through the Affordable Care Act from getting coverage for elective abortions, even if they pay a separate premium out of their own pocket.

Putative Democrats Carlyle Begay ad Catherine Miranda, of course, joined with the Republicans in voting for this punitive bill.

The legislation has exceptions for coverage designed to save a woman’s life or in cases of rape and incest.

A woman would have to prove this to the satisfaction of her insurer. Nothing like an inquisition from an insurance adjuster. And given the time constraints imposed by the state of Arizona in obtaining an early abortion, this process could unduly burden a woman’s constitutional right of privacy to manage her own health care and to obtain an abortion.

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Action Alert: CAP abortion bill SB 1318

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Action Alert from Arizona List: Monday: SB 1318 to be heard in the House SB1318 is the anti-reproductive justice bill of this session.   It will make it impossible for women in health exchanges to buy a policy – even with their own money – that covers abortion.  It is time to make a call! … Read more

Democratic Women in Blue at The Capitol (Updated)

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Democratic Women In Blue What is Women in Blue? Women in Blue, is a coalition of women’s groups and clubs from around Arizona. We gather together throughout the year to learn from and be inspired by each other. Women come from all corners of the state to meet with their legislators and learn how the … Read more

Third Circuit latest Court of Appeals to rule in favor of access to contraception

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In a little reported decision by a panel of the Third Circuit Court of Appeals last week, the court upheld federal rules intended to ensure access to birth control Opinion (.pdf), over a claim by employers who objected to the “tweaked” rule after Hobby Lobby. Obama Administration Is Quietly Racking Up Court Victories For Birth Control, Despite Hobby Lobby:

ProtestorsThe Third Circuit became the fourth federal appeals court to reach a similar conclusion in a challenge brought by an employer who objects to some or all forms of birth control, despite concerns that the Supreme Court’s decision in Burwell v. Hobby Lobby would impede access to contraceptive care.

The Hobby Lobby opinion permitted an employer to ignore a version of the Obama Administration’s birth control rules, yet it also contained language suggesting that, with a slight tweak to those rules, access to contraceptive care could be restored.

The rule in Hobby Lobby required employers to cover contraception in their employer-provided health plan. The tweaked version of the rule only requires employers with religious objections to birth control to send a form or a letter to the federal government saying that they wish to invoke an exemption to the rule, and informing the government “which company administers their health-insurance plan.” Once this occurs, the employer is freed from its obligation to comply with the law, and the government works separately with the insurance administrator to ensure that the objecting employer’s workers receive contraceptive coverage.

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Cathi Herrod’s CAP abortion bill is back

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Just hours after Cathi Herrod hosted Governor Dicey Doug Ducey as the guest of honor at her Center for Arizona Policy soiree on Wednesday, her Christian Taliban foot soldiers in the Arizona legislature passed a bill out of the Senate Health Committee to strip women of their right to purchase health insurance coverage through the federal health insurance exchange, including separate abortion riders, and also would require physicians who perform abortions to show proof of admitting privileges at a local hospital (one of the most popular tactics of the forced-birth extremists). State committee approves abortion restrictions:

TalibanLegislation to further regulate abortions in Arizona gained approval from the Senate Health Committee on Wednesday, the same day the influential anti-abortion group Center for Arizona Policy held its day at the Capitol.

SB 1318 (.pdf), introduced by committee chair Sen. Nancy Barto, R-Phoenix, would prohibit abortion coverage for women insured through the federal health-care exchange. It would also require physicians who perform abortions to show proof of admitting privileges at a local hospital.

The bill, which will move to the Senate floor pending a rubber stamp from the rules committee, passed along party lines during the heated hearing.

The legislation would remove an exception in Arizona law that allows women who receive insurance through the health-care exchange from obtaining coverage for abortions under an optional rider with an additional premium. The bill does not have an exception for victims of rape or incest who become pregnant, which opponents speaking at the hearing said was critical.

SB 1318 would also require abortion clinics to submit documentation that their physicians have admitting privileges at a hospital. Current law requires that a physician with admitting privileges at a hospital within 30 miles be present for all surgical abortions, but some interpret the new bill as saying that all physicians who perform abortions must have admitting privileges.

This is one of the most extreme forced-birth measures in the nation. It comes just hours after Governor Dicey Doug Ducey told Cathi Herrod that “I look forward to working with you on those issues.” Don’t expect a veto.

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