Feminist Women's Health Center
Feminist Advocacy Network (FAN) Alert

March 18, 2014
FAN ALERT: Urgent Calls Needed Now:  Stop SB 98! - the Abortion Insurance Coverage Ban Bill!


Dear 

   
Let's recap. Last week, the House Insurance Committee held a so-called hearing on Senate Bill 98. They allowed absolutely ZERO testimony or remarks from the public! The committee voted on a substitute version, allowed for a few questions from the author and a few committee members, and was finished in less than 10 minutes! This certainly was another example of silencing the voice of Georgia's women. We must make ourselves heard now!

 

Now, SB 98 is on the calendar for the House floor for a vote on another new substitute version -- which is not on the website but is attached in two pages.   

 

SB 98 will harm the health and safety of women and their families all over the state. It aims to take away coverage from people who want, need, and who, in many cases, have already purchased coverage. Families may have elected to include comprehensive coverage, and are planning to have children, counting on their insurance to cover unforseen medical needs. This is the essence of what insurance does.

 

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

  1. Please Call Speaker of the House, David Ralston and ask him to stop SB 98
  2. Please call House Insurance Chair Richard Smith and ask him to stop SB 98.   
  3. Please call, write and fax the your State Representative (find your state representative here), letting them know that you strongly oppose SB 98.
  4. Please see the message and contact info below.
If SB 98 passes, it will interfere with the health decisions of Georgia's women and families, and put women in danger.

 

For more info, please email Janelle or Kwajelyn, or call us at 404.248.5445.    

 

Thank you!  Your immediate action is vitally needed and important!  Please call ASAP!  

 

Until Justice,  

Janelle & Kwajelyn  

Feminist Women's Health Center's Advocacy Team 

capitol
  

Oppose SB 98  

  

* SB 98 has no exceptions for terminations due to rape or incest, nor the health of the woman beyond a  very narrow definition of "medical emergency".

 

* SB 98 has no exception for serious fetal anomalies It could force a woman to carry a fetus to term in cases where serious physical deformities, injuries, or fatal condition occurs.

 

The Affordable Care Act already 
explicitly prohibits using federal funds to pay for abortion coverage in the exchanges, with exceptions for cases of life of the mother, rape and incest.  However, individuals can use their own private funds to purchase plans through the exchange that include abortion coverage. This bill would even prevent individuals from using their own money to purchase abortion coverage they want. 
 
Please Contact 
Speaker David Ralston at 404.656.5020 (office) or 404.657.8277 (fax); House Insurance Committee Chair, Representative Richard Smith
at 404.656.6831; and  contact your State Representative Today!!!!

 

Please tell the Speaker, Rep. Richard Smith, and the your State Representative that "I oppose SB 98 because politicians should not interfere with private and personal health care decisions. SB 98 will take away benefits that women already have in their insurance policies. Stop targeting women and access to reproductive health care."