Abortion bans are harmful and discriminatory (Actions: Week 1)

If you can’t access a right, do you truly have it? 
That question is at the center of The Womxn Project’s sponsorship of the Equality in Abortion Coverage Act (EACA). And starting the New Year by kicking off the EACA community’s momentum out of the gate.  When legislators said we were not making enough noise, we said…. hmm.

In the first week of January, we have a series of events lined up which you can see below, and we invite you to join our dedicated team of passionate at-home activists in getting involved safely and consistently. Call and email your representatives on January 4, learn about the EACA through a virtual lobbying day with Emma on January 5, then join the virtual EACA press conference on January 6. 

Much of the world starts the New Year resolving to be smaller. Instead, join us in resolving to be bigger, louder and stronger than we’ve ever been before.  

At-Home Activists! 3 Emails, 3 Calls
January 4

THREE PHONE CALLS
(please, make these happen to make your voice heard) 

• House Speaker Joseph Shekarchi (401-222-2466)
• Senate President Dominick Ruggerio (401-222-6655)

Sample Script: My name is ___. I am a Rhode Island voter. I am calling to express my support for the passage of the Equality in Abortion Coverage Act this year. It is way past time to get rid of discriminatory bans on health coverage for abortion and truly protect the right to abortion. Abortion bans cause real harm. Please, ensure a floor vote in your chamber on the EACA this year. We need your leadership. And we expect action on this important policy!

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• Governor Daniel McKee (401-222-2080)

Sample Script: My name is ___. I am a Rhode Island voter. You have a chance to show bold leadership by taking bans on health coverage for abortion for state employees and the Medicaid program out of the 2023 budget. Rhode Island voters made it very clear that we support the right to abortion, but these harmful policies take that right away from too many people. Please, take a stand and get these bans out of our state budget.

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

• BONUS: You could also call Lieutenant Governor Sabina Matos (401-222-2371) to urge her to make sure our state budget reflects our values by taking out the bans on health coverage for abortion for state employees and people who use Medicaid.

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THREE EMAILS
(please, make the calls AND send these out) 

• House Speaker Joseph Shekarchi (rep-shekarchi@rilegislature.gov)
• Senate President Dominick Ruggerio (sen-ruggerio@rilegislature.gov)

Subject: SUPPORT Equality in Abortion Coverage Act (EACA)

My name is ___. I am a Rhode Island voter. I am writing today to urge action this year to pass the Equality in Abortion Coverage Act. This bill will get rid of policies that deny health coverage for abortion for state employees and people who use Medicaid. We know these laws take the right to abortion away from many people in our state, particularly folks who already face disparities in access to health services. 

Abortion bans are discriminatory and they cause real harm. Please, ensure a floor vote in your chamber on the EACA this year. We need your leadership and we expect action on this important policy!

Sincerely,
Name, Address, Phone

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

• Governor Daniel McKee ([email protected])

Subject: FY 23 Budget Should NOT include Abortion Bans

 My name is ___. I am a Rhode Island voter. I am writing to urge you to submit a 2023 budget that does not include discriminatory and harmful bans on health coverage of abortion for state employees and the Medicaid program. You have a chance to show bold leadership. Rhode Island voters have made it very clear that we support the right to abortion, but these policies take that right away from too many people. I am urging you to take a stand and get these bans out of our state budget.

Sincerely,
Name, Address, Phone

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

• BONUS: You could also email Lieutenant Governor Sabina Matos ([email protected]) to urge her to do EVERYTHING that she can to push for a 2023 budget that does NOT include these awful bans on health coverage for abortion for state employees and people who use Medicaid.

Wednesdays with Emma
January 5, 3:30p

Equality in Abortion Coverage Act (EACA) Virtual Press Briefing
January 6, 3:00pm
Facebook Live

• WHAT: Virtual Press Briefing on the Equality in Abortion Coverage Act (EACA)
• WHO:
  o Jocelyn Foye, Director of The Womxn Project
  o Dr. Ogechukwu “Oge” Uwanaka, OB/GYN
  o Rep. Liana Cassar (D – Dist. 66, Barrington and East Providence), lead House sponsor of the EACA
  o Sen. Bridget Valverde (D-Dist. 35, East Greenwich, North Kingstown, South Kingstown, Narragansett), lead Senate sponsor of the EACA
• WHEN: Thursday, January 6th at 3:00pm
• WHERE: This briefing will be livestreamed at www.Facebook.com/WomanProjectHQ.