Issue Position: Womens' Issues

Issue Position

The Right to Choose:

I believe the government should protect each woman's health, and respect whatever decision she makes about the care she wants. I, like millions of Americans, view abortion as an issue of choice. I believe the decision of whether to have an abortion should be left up to the woman herself, and not be placed in the hands of government.

Family Planning and Contraceptives:

Family planning is important, and I strongly support both domestic and international family planning programs. Federally funded family planning programs have been an integral part of our nation's health care system, providing high-quality contraceptive services and other preventative health care to millions of Americans, most of whom would otherwise lack access to such services. I support increased funding for these programs. I am also a strong supporter of equity in prescription coverage for contraceptives. Women pay 68 percent more in out of pocket expenses for health care, mainly because they are often forced to pay for the full cost of contraceptives. This unfair practice must stop.

Breast Cancer Research:

Early detection, research and education are key components of understanding and treating breast cancer. I have cosponsored numerous bills that would provide medical coverage for hospital stays and secondary consultations. I have also supported legislation that would permit states to use Medicaid funding to pay for breast cancer treatment.

Equal Rights Amendment:

The Equal Rights Amendment would establish that women and men hold equally all of the rights guaranteed by the Constitution. It would provide a remedy for sex discrimination for both women and men, and give equal legal status to women for the first time in our country's history. Unfortunately, despite the support of more than 200 members of Congress, this legislation has not been acted on in Congress. I will continue to work to bring this important piece of legislation to the floor for a vote.

Title IX:

Before Title IX was enacted, schools at all levels limited the participation of women and girls in the classroom and on the playing field. Since the enactment of Title IX in 1972, much has been accomplished in expanding our country's definition of equality. Despite this progress, barriers still remain for girls and women in our schools and more must be done to make Title IX the vehicle for equity that it was intended to be.

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