Chicago—On Feb. 23 women’s health advocates gathered at 230 S. Dearborn downtown at 12:45 PM, in front of Senator Richard Durbin’s office to demonstrate support for women’s access to health insurance that covers birth control, regardless of where we work.
The gathering was organized by the Illinois Choice Action Team, the all-volunteer group representing NARAL Pro-Choice America in this state, with support from the Coalition to Protect Women’s Health Care, a national group of more than 40 diverse organizations devoted to the common cause of protecting women’s access to preventive care.
The advocates said they’re gearing up for additional fights in Washington, including a vote on Sen. Blunt’s (R-Mo.) amendment to allow any employer or insurance plan, with or without religious affiliation, to refuse to cover any essential health service for virtually any reason.
Our demonstration focused on asking Senator Durbin for his support to oppose the Blunt Amendment and to demand that Congress “Let Women Speak”—a reference to the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing last week on the new women’s contraception policy where the panel was all-male and opposed to birth control coverage.
—Benita Ulisano
Illinois Choice Action Team