Mikulski, Murray, Boxer Announce New Bill to Advance Women's Health Care

Press Release

U.S. Senator Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md.) together with Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and Senator Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) today announced the 21st Century Women's Health Act, a new bill that would protect and build on progress made on women's health care. The 21st Century Women's Health Act invests in women's health clinics and the primary care workforce, and promotes critical preventive services like contraception coverage. The bill also works to provide compassionate assistance for survivors of rape by ensuring all hospitals provide emergency contraception, spreading awareness, and working with community-based groups to help prevent sexual violence.

"Fighting for women's health has been one of my life-long priorities," Senator Mikulski said. "When I first came to the Senate, women's health wasn't a national priority. We've changed that paradigm but there's more to be done. I'll continue to fight for women to get the preventive care and treatment they need to live healthy lives. We must raise awareness, raise consciousness, and raise hell so that women are not left behind when it comes to their health."

"I am so proud today to be introducing the 21st Century Women's Health Act. As we continue to fight back against those who miss the Mad Men era, the 21st Century Women's Health Act lays out important ways we can and should move forward on women's health, from maternity care, to preventive health services, to continuing to expand access to birth control, to ensuring survivors of rape have access to emergency contraception in every hospital. Period," Senator Murray said."The 21st Century Women's Health Act would mean that more women across the country have the information and access they need to be in the driver's seat about their own health care and their own futures."

"At a time when the GOP congress is trying to drag women back to the last century, we are offering a bold agenda to strengthen women's health in this century," said Senator Boxer.

In a call with reporters and advocates, Murray highlighted that at a critical time in the fight to protect a woman's right to make her own choices about her own body, the 21st Century Women's Health Act would challenge elected officials to be on the right side of history when it comes to women's health, equality, and opportunity. Murray was joined on the call today by Dana Singiser, Vice President for Public Policy and Government Affairs, Planned Parenthood Federation of America and Dr. Laurel Kuehl, Planned Parenthood of the Great Northwest's Washington Medical Director.

"We applaud Senators Murray, Mikulski, and Boxer for the introduction of the 21st Century Women's Health Act in Congress today. This aptly-named bill not only brings women into the 21st century -- it launches us forward," said Cecile Richards, President, Planned Parenthood Federation of America. "At Planned Parenthood, we've seen the progress that comes when women can make their own health care decisions, without politicians standing in the way. Together, through this bill and other efforts, we will keep working to ensure that women across the country have the information and access they need to make decisions about their health care and their futures."

"Women deserve to be treated with dignity and respect and this bill helps give them the tools they need to lead happy, healthy lives," said Dr. Laurel Kuehl, Washington Medical Director, Planned Parenthood of the Great Northwest. "I'm lucky to practice in a state where elected officials understand that it's best when decisions are left between me and my patients. I know that for my colleagues across the country -- things aren't that easy. That's why it is so important that we have champions in Congress like Senator Murray working to expand access to health care instead of standing in the way. From contraception to childbearing, a woman's reproductive well-being is a major part of her health and her economic well-being."

"The 21st Century Women's Health Act is the right approach at the right time to improve and protect women's health," said Debra L. Ness, President, National Partnership for Women & Families. "This legislation would promote prevention and make it possible for more women to control their reproductive health and make their own health care decisions. By doing so, it would enhance the economic security of women and families. We commend Senators Patty Murray, Barbara Boxer and Barbara Mikulski for championing this vitally important bill."

"It is time for Congress to strengthen -- not obstruct -- women's access to health care, and the 21st Century Women's Health Act does just that. This bill takes a number of important steps to advance women's health and well-being. Access to health care, including reproductive health care, is critical to the health and economic security of women and their families," said Gretchen Borchelt, Acting Vice President for Health and Reproductive Rights, National Women's Law Center.

Source