The National Women's Law Center put together this graph that outlines the process for Health Care Reform and what the next few months will look like. As you can see, at this point we are waiting for Congress to propose their bills and vote. It is vital that advocates for women and families continue to speak their concerns about health care reform legislation.

President Obama is urging Lawmakers to pass a plan this year and to overhaul the country's health care system. However, with August recess on its way, much controversy has begun to question whether or not America is going to meet the American people's needs. Although the upcoming recess will not significantly stall healthcare reform, health care advocates are asking supporters to add as much fuel to the fire to keep the fight going. As of now, Senate has already said that it won't meet President Obama's deadline and House is still pushing to get things in.

TAKE ACTION - see below!

It's just not fair! Women are more likely to use health care services throughout their lives, but on average, are paid less than men, making access to the health care they need even more difficult. Health care reform legislation making its way through Congress is designed to address affordability, quality, access and insurance company abuses, and several areas of concern for women. It is important that comprehensive reproductive health services are protected in legislation as well.

According to the article "Roadblocks to Health Reform," I discovered various reasons why the current health care system is not beneficial for women. For example, did you know that higher costs and inadequate benefits make the individual insurance market an unreliable choice for women? Or that it is still legal in 9 states for insurers to reject applicants who are survivors of domestic violence? This article highlights and explores the issues that need to be addressed throughout the health care reform debate that concerns women's health. To read the article, click here..

Are reproductive rights being threatened? With President Obama as a pro-choice president, according to RH Reality Check, let's hope not. Congressional bill, "Preventing Unintended Pregnancies, Reducing the Need for Abortion and Supporting Parents Act," a bill that was passed by House that will fund a wide range of programs that improve women's reproductive health, prevent unintended pregnancies and increase support for parents.

So, what about abortion? Abortion is not explicitly mentioned in any of the major healthcare bills as of yet being considered in Congress. However, legislation would make abortion both more widely available and more common by requiring insurance plans to pay for the procedures and providing government funding to subsidize plans that pay for them. Pro-abortion efforts appear to have been put on the back-burner where pro-life leaders have issued a call to action to counter Obama's healthcare reform, in which the President appears to be making good on his promise to include abortion. To keep up to date on Reproductive Rights throughout the health care debate, visit Law Professor Caitlin E. Borgmann's blog

Nearly 30% of minority women have no access to health care, says Eleanor Hinton, president of Black Women's Health Imperative. Health care reform must eliminate disparities involving women of color and there must be a greater emphasis on community approaches to health care delivery.

ACTION: If you are in a 'Blue Dog's' state, or know someone who is, please forward this Health Action information to call Congressional Representatives and Senators during August recess! For more information, contact the Congressional Switch Board at 202-224-3121, and see Center for Policy Analysisfor late breaking news.

Ashley Bennett, WIN 2009 Summer intern is pictured here (front row right) with visiting students from Josai International University, Chiba, Japan. Minoru Ohashi (back row center) was a Summer intern with WIN in October, 2000.

CAWA reception for Hon.Jackie Weatherspoon, VP, US Women Connect, N.H. in Oakland, CA June 14th
Jackie is front left in the photo and Ashley Bennett, our Intern, is in the second row with the flower in her hair! Thanks to Carol Norberg for hosting

August 26, 2009, 5:30-&:30 "From Danger to Dignity" film, an evening honoring Pat Maginnis, Abortion Right s Activist. Humanist Hall, Oakland, 390 27th St. CA, Contact: 510-636-0338 or see EVITE

Women's Policy Summit, San Francisco, October, 2009i, Site and Date - Watch for it! TBA

September 26, 2009, 10:00am - 4:00pm, Women's Economic Forum: Opportunities for Weathering the Storm: Cardea Center for Women, 701 Vine St. San Jose, CA

February 26-27, 2010: Global Forum for Beijing+15, New York City, followed by the 54th Session of the UN Commission on Women to review and reaffirm the Beijing Platform for Action.

Send your coming and past events to WIN and CAWA for our next issue at win@win-cawa.org!

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