George Bush Launches Attack on Access to Contraceptives

Time is running out for the Bush administration, but that isn't stopping President George Bush from trying to roll back a woman's right to choose before he leaves office.

Last week, the Department of Health and Human Services proposed a new rule that would force hospitals and clinics to hire people who refuse to provide the full range of reproductive options to women, denying women important health care information and access to basic forms of contraception.

Bush's new rule would deny federal funding to health care institutions that refuse to follow the new rule, limiting health care access when more Americans are struggling with rising health care costs. Further, this rule could allow health care providers, driven by their own personal ideology, to deny emergency contraception to sexual assault victims.

By redefining abortion to include the most common and effective methods of birth control, including oral contraceptives and emergency contraception, the Bush Administration is attempting to deprive basic contraceptive services to women around the country.

This is George Bush's parting gift to the far right-wing of the Republican Party. It is a shameful attempt to deny women complete, accurate information regarding their health care options. Health care experts and choice organizations in Oregon and across the country are speaking out in protest. Yet, the Bush Administration is refusing to comment on the rule change and our own Senator Gordon Smith is refusing to comment as well.

Oregon deserves leaders who will fight back when Oregon values are under assault. In Oregon we believe in a woman's right to choose and demand that women have full access to health care services.

I have launched a petition to pressure our leaders to stand up for women's health care and oppose Bush's disastrous policy. I urge others to join me in the effort by going to my website, to urge action. Together we can stop George Bush and protect a woman's right to choose.