Senate Bill Challenges Bush Rule Limiting Reproductive Health Care

Senators Hillary Clinton (D-NY) and Patty Murray (D-WA) introduced legislation yesterday that would prevent a Department of Health and Human Services (HSS) rule from limiting women's access to proper reproductive care. The proposed regulation would threaten women's access to contraception and health care because federally-funded health care providers, based on their personal views, would be able to withhold both services and information from women.

Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards said in a press release, "Senators Clinton and Murray are true champions of women's health, and their proposed legislation sends a strong signal to administrative agencies that Congress will not stand by as those agencies try to slip in ill-conceived midnight regulations."

In her own statement, Senator Clinton added, "this HHS rule will threaten patients’ rights, stand in the way of health care professionals, and restrict access to critical health care services for those who need them most. Senator Murray and I are standing up once again to the administration against this rule and will continue to fight for women's reproductive rights. President Bush is making a last-minute attempt to undermine women's health care, but our legislation will stop this rule and ensure that women can continue to get needed health care."

Media Resources: Sen. Hillary Clinton Statements 11/20/2008, Planned Parenthood Federation of America 11/20/2008; Feminist Daily Newswire 9/26/08

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