Thanks to President Obama, being a woman is no longer a pre-existing condition—Cecile Richards
With both the Democratic and
Republican National Conventions having reached their conclusion, each party has
demonstrated to the electorate where they stand on the issues facing our
nation. In this election, more so
than any other in recent history, women’s issues have risen to the forefront of
the campaigns’ attentions, and it has never been more critical to stand behind
the candidates who are standing with women. In this election, that’s President
Obama.
When Planned Parenthood President Cecile
Richards spoke at the DNC, she reminded us of how President Obama has been a
faithful ally to women: signing the Lily Ledbetter Act, increasing access to
birth control without co-pay, and ensuring no woman will be denied coverage for
a pre-existing condition.
These views stand in stark contrast
to the Romney-Ryan ticket. Having
vowed to “get rid of” Planned Parenthood, to repeal the Affordable Care Act, to
restrict women’s access to basic reproductive health care, and to support the
overturn of Roe v. Wade, the extreme
views of the Republican ticket would hurt women.
While not everyone may agree wholly
with the positions of either party, the extreme views of the Romney-Ryan ticket
differ vastly from the moderate views of most Americans. A recent poll found that 75% of adults
think that even policy makers who oppose abortion should still support birth
control. Birth control is a basic,
essential part of women’s health care, and the majority of Americans understand
that. We need to elect
representatives who reflect these views, and value and trust women enough to
let them make their own health care decisions. The Republican ticket fails to recognize the vital role contraception
plays in a woman’s life, and denying women access to affordable birth control,
limits them in other facets of their life.
Planned Parenthood Action Fund has
proudly endorsed President Obama for a second term. His steadfast commitment to
women ensures women will continue to have access to the essential care they
deserve. This November, let’s
stand behind the candidate who’s stood with us.
Moira, Web Correspondent, Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Datoka