The legislation to get rid of bans on health coverage for abortion for state employees and the Medicaid program was just re-introduced. Before we even got a chance to share the fantastic news and thank the incredible lead sponsors, Rep. Liana Cassar and Sen. Bridget Valverde and the 26 House sponsors and 21 Senate sponsors, Senate leadership decided to play politics with our healthcare – in the middle of a pandemic!
Even though this is clearly an issue of health care and insurance, Senate leadership is trying to assign the “Equality in Abortion Coverage Act” to Judiciary. This does not make sense. Abortion is healthcare!
We need your help to put pressure to move the bill to Senate Health and Human Services Committee. There are a few things you can do right now and tomorrow to help out! Take a look below and I hope that you will take a few minutes to speak out. We have always been able to count on you. We need you to be with us again!
3 THINGS YOU CAN DO…
to support the Equality in Abortion Coverage Act:
1) This is the big one – the action that will make the most impact. Taking the time to make a call makes a BIG difference.
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Call Senate President Dominick Ruggerio (401-222-6655), Senate Majority Leader Michael McCaffrey (401-739-7576) and Senate Majority Whip Maryellen Goodwin (401-276-5507)
Sample Script: Hello. My name is [NAME]. I am calling to express my support for the Equality in Abortion Coverage Act, Senate bill 0267 and urge you to send this bill to the Health and Human Services Committee. Abortion is a healthcare. Please, do not put politics ahead of the health needs of Rhode Islanders, especially in the midst of a pandemic. Thank you for your time.
2) You can also send a short email to all three of these folks (or do both – call and email – even better).
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Senator Ruggerio ([email protected]), Senator McCaffrey ([email protected]), Senator Goodwin ([email protected]
Sample Email: Dear Senator [NAME], My name is [NAME]. I am writing to express my support for the Equality in Abortion Coverage Act (S.0267). I am very concerned that the bill was not assigned to the Health and Human Services Committee. Abortion is a healthcare service. It is clear to me that a bill related to health care should be sent to HHS. Please, do not allow politics to be prioritized over the health needs of Rhode Islanders, especially in the midst of a pandemic. This bill would close gaps in access to safe, affordable abortion care at a time when many people are struggling to get the services we need. I hope that you will do the right thing and act to pass this legislation in a timely manner. Thank you for your time.
Sincerely, [NAME]
3) Sign the petition to leadership and share it on any social media channels you are part of – add your name: http://bit.ly/EACAsenatepetition.
Sample Tweet: #AbortionisHealthcare. @SenatorRuggerio, @SenMcCaffrey & Sen. @MaryellnGoodwin: don’t play games with healthcare in a pandemic! Move S0267, a bill to ensure health coverage for abortion, to the Health & Human Services Committee. PETITION: http://bit.ly/EACAsenatepetition. #Repro4RI4All
Sample Facebook: #AbortionisHealthcare. Senators Ruggerio, McCaffrey & Goodwin: don’t play games with our healthcare in the middle of a pandemic! Move S0267, a bill to ensure health coverage for abortion, to the Health & Human Services Committee. PETITION: http://bit.ly/EACAsenatepetition. #Repro4RI4All
SAVE THE DATES!
- FUNdraiser: Cocktails & Casseroles with Caroline and Cori
Sign Up and Learn More here. Saturday, February 27 at 11am ET, Zoom - Volunteer Meeting: Plan around the future of our bill
Monday March 1 at 7pm ET, Facebook live. Learn more here - Save the date! A Conversation About Medicaid, with bill sponsors Rep. Liana Cassar and Sen Bridget Valverde, Economic Progress Institute’s Linda Katz, and moderator Jennifer Rourke. (International Women’s Day), March 8.
- Save the date! Equity in Medical Care, a conversation with medical providers from across Rhode Island talking about how COVID has impacted so many. (Abortion Provider Appreciation Day), March 10.
- El Pozo/The Well, March Gathering: March 18 at 7pm Learn more here