Press Release: House Democrats Condemn Passage of Resolution that Discriminates Against Women’s Health Care Needs #nhhouse

House Democrats Condemn Passage of Resolution that Discriminates

Against Women’s Health Care Needs

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                 CONTACT: Eileen Kelly

February 22, 2012                                                                   603-271-2136

CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE – Representative Terie Norelli, House Democratic Leader, and Representative Sandra Keans, a co-sponsor on legislation from 1999 that enacted a policy in New Hampshire requiring insurance companies that cover prescriptions to also provide coverage for contraception, issued the following statements regarding the passage of HR 29.

“The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act does not violate any citizen’s basic right to religious freedom. Churches are exempt and insurance companies, not the organization affiliated with a church, will be required to pay for birth control costs. No individual will be forced to buy or use contraception,” stated Representative Terie Norelli.  

“The reality is that in the United States, birth control use is widely accepted and contraceptive drugs are commonly prescribed for other health reasons. Do not let anyone fool you! This is about birth control and nothing else. It is about allowing women to make the decisions that are right for themselves and their families.”

“This Resolution, while it is couched in constitutional clothes, is nothing less than an attack on basic health care - not just women’s health care - but also an attack on family health care,” said Representative Sandra Keans. “It suggests we as politicians can make better health decisions for individuals and families than they can themselves with their doctors.”

“The story is the same today as it was in 1999 when I co-sponsored legislation to provide this same coverage. It was the right thing to provide for family care then; it is the right thing to do today. It was not a partisan issue then. It should not be a partisan issue today,” stated Keans. 

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