Post 11: ACCESS Bill
On November 20th, 2017 Massachusetts was the first to pass the ACCESS bill. This bill ensures that women will have access to contraceptives and other birth control, free of co-pay, regardless of what happens in the Federal agenda. The bill also expands insurance coverage of birth control and emergency contraceptives, up to a year, without a prescription (Massachusetts Set To Approve Law Protecting Access To Birth Control). This is a preventative measure that the state of Massachusetts has taken since Donald Trump and his administration signed an executive order to allow religious companies opt out of paying for their employees' contraceptives.
Cool enough, my oldest sister works as Policy & Communications Manager in Boston City Hall's Office for Women's Advancement. She had the awesome pleasure of being there when Governor Charlie Baker signed the bill. When I sat down to talk to her about this blog post she had some nice things to say about the Commonwealth, “Massachusetts has always been a nationwide leader in standing up for families. We were the first state to pass marriage equality in 2003 and we’re now the first state to safeguard no-copay birth control since the White House announced rollbacks of the Obama-era contraceptive mandate. Signing the ACCESS bill into law is not just about free birth control. It’s about promoting agency in family planning and health care for women and families. Birth control is basic health care and having access to basic health care means women can control their reproductive futures, as well as their educational and economic futures.”
Strong female leaders, such as Attorney General Maura Healy, had the chance to talk after Charlie Baker signed the legislation. She said, "Every woman should have affordable and reliable access to the birth control option that is best for her. It is basic health care. We must do everything we can to protect the rights of women and families here in Massachusetts."(JURIST, 2017).
My sister's words make me, as a young upcoming, female, healthcare worker feel more confident about my mission that I want to fulfill when I am done with my degree. I know I am going to try my best to stay in Massachusetts and I want to help everyone get the access they need to healthcare. Working in a place that emulates the same goals is a good feeling. It is very reassuring to see women and men supporting this movement, it's nice to know local and state governments are doing what they can!
Cool enough, my oldest sister works as Policy & Communications Manager in Boston City Hall's Office for Women's Advancement. She had the awesome pleasure of being there when Governor Charlie Baker signed the bill. When I sat down to talk to her about this blog post she had some nice things to say about the Commonwealth, “Massachusetts has always been a nationwide leader in standing up for families. We were the first state to pass marriage equality in 2003 and we’re now the first state to safeguard no-copay birth control since the White House announced rollbacks of the Obama-era contraceptive mandate. Signing the ACCESS bill into law is not just about free birth control. It’s about promoting agency in family planning and health care for women and families. Birth control is basic health care and having access to basic health care means women can control their reproductive futures, as well as their educational and economic futures.”
Strong female leaders, such as Attorney General Maura Healy, had the chance to talk after Charlie Baker signed the legislation. She said, "Every woman should have affordable and reliable access to the birth control option that is best for her. It is basic health care. We must do everything we can to protect the rights of women and families here in Massachusetts."(JURIST, 2017).
My sister's words make me, as a young upcoming, female, healthcare worker feel more confident about my mission that I want to fulfill when I am done with my degree. I know I am going to try my best to stay in Massachusetts and I want to help everyone get the access they need to healthcare. Working in a place that emulates the same goals is a good feeling. It is very reassuring to see women and men supporting this movement, it's nice to know local and state governments are doing what they can!
Picture: This was sent to me by my sister of AG Maura Healy speaking.
https://twitter.com/brencall/status/932713955025457153
https://twitter.com/brencall/status/932713955025457153
JURIST - Massachusetts governor signs bill guaranteeing women access to free birth control. (2017, November 21). Retrieved December 3, 2017, from http://www.jurist.org/paperchase/2017/11/massachusetts-governor-guarantees-access-to-free-birth-control-regardless-of-congressional-action--d.php
Massachusetts Set To Approve Law Protecting Access To Birth Control. (2017, November 20). Retrieved December 3, 2017, from https://www.npr.org/2017/11/20/565430858/massachusetts-set-to-approve-law-protecting-access-to-birth-control
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