SAN FRANCISCO,CA– Today NARAL Pro-Choice California stood up for insurance coverage of contraception without a copay for women. They gathered in the Financial District of San Francisco to pass out fliers and encourage morning commuters to contact Congress in support of contraceptive coverage.

The event comes as the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and its political allies launch "Fortnight for Freedom” (a campaign that claims the contraceptive-coverage policy made possible under the health-reform law is an attack on religious freedom). The "Fortnight” starts with rallies nationwide on June 21 and continues into the July 4 holiday.

"Contraception is an important part of women’s health. That’s why we support women getting insurance coverage of birth control without a copay, regardless of where they work,” said Amy Everitt, state director of NARAL Pro-Choice California."The politicians and groups opposed to birth control, including the U.S.Conference of Catholic Bishops, want to let bosses and corporations deny their employees contraceptive coverage. These politicians and groups are out of touch with our values and priorities. That’s why we will fight to make sure women’s contraceptive coverage becomes a reality. In short, this ‘fortnight’ is not right for women.”

In addition to the "Fortnight” attacks on contraception, there are other efforts to undermine a woman’s ability to get insurance coverage of birth control without a copay. The U.S. Supreme Court will issue a ruling any day on the health-reform laws, which has made near-universal coverage of birth control a reality. In addition, many state legislatures will close their sessions soon after having passed anti-choice legislation. And in Congress, the U.S. House of Representatives will continue to attack choice, having lined up no fewer than five bills with anti-choice provisions for a vote in that chamber.

Everitt said these attacks are coming from the same types of politicians who put together the all-male panel at a congressional hearing in the spring. While they claim their concern is religious liberty, what they really want is to give owners of fast-food restaurants and other similar businesses the ability to deny employees contraceptive coverage based on their personal opposition to birth control.

"The ‘Fortnight’ in California is a reminder that anti-choice opponents of birth control are out of touch with reality,” Everitt said. "We are bringing together people of all faiths to make our point.”

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Contact: Sarah La Due,415-890-1020

SLaDue@ProChoiceAmerica.org