Virtual Women's Health Day of Action!

Even if you weren't able to make it to Madison to meet with your legislators in person, you can still participate in the Women's Health Day of Action!  Send a personal email message to your Senator and Representative and let them know you support access to reproductive health care!

Sample Letter for Campaign

Subject: Protect Women's Health

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

Although I couldn't attend the Women's Health Day of Action in Madison, I want to stand up for women's health by urging you to support funding for family planning services as set forth in Governor Doyle's budget and Contraceptive Equity.

In the current economic crisis, family planning services--which includes cervical and breast cancer screening, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections and access to birth control--are more critical than ever. Investing in these services saves the state money and provides needed health care to almost 100,000 low-income Wisconsin women and men.

The Guttmacher Institute estimates that each $1.00 spent on family planning services saves $4.02 by preventing unintended pregnancies and providing preventative health care. In Wisconsin, family planning health care has saved the state $487 million dollars since 2003. Additionally, the Family Planning Waiver brings in much needed federal dollars, including $59 million during the last two years. And by expanding the Waiver to include low-income men, the state will save an additional $585,300 over two years.

I urge you to support Governor Doyle's proposed funding for family planning services and the expansion of the Family Planning Waiver to include low-income men.

I also urge you to support and co-sponsor the Contraceptive Equity bill. Contraceptive Equity requires all Wisconsin insurance plans that cover prescription drugs and related health services, such as check-ups, to also cover prescription contraceptives and related services. Despite contraceptives being one of the most widely prescribed and used prescriptions, only 33% of the 40 largest private health insurance plans cover a comprehensive range of prescription contraceptives. Because of this deliberate lack of coverage, women spend 68% more in out-of-pocket health care expenses than men.

The Contraceptive Equity bill is needed to ensure women are not discriminated against in their insurance coverage. State law is sometimes needed to protect women's health and end insurance discrimination. For example, advocates have secured insurance mandates in Wisconsin that require coverage of maternity and newborn care; coverage of mammograms and breast reconstruction surgery; and direct access to obstetricians and gynecologists.

Please support Contraceptive Equity and protect women's health.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
April 27, 2009


Background Information

Family Planning Funding

~ Publicly-funded family planning services provide critical health care to low-income women, men and teens, including cancer screenings, breast exams, STI testing and treatment, and access to birth control.

~ The Guttmacher Institute estimates that each $1.00 spent on family planning services saves $4.02 by preventing unintended pregnancies and providing preventative health care.

~ The Family Planning Waiver is funded 90% by the federal government.  Since 2003 when the Family Planning Waiver was implemented, it has saved the state $487 million.


Contraceptive Equity

~ Most women spend approximately 30 years trying to post-pone or avoid pregnancy.  And 98% of women use at least one kind of contraceptive method during this time.

~ Contraceptive Equity requires insurance plans that cover prescription drugs to also include coverage for prescription contraceptives.  27 states already have Contraceptive Equity laws.

~ Excluding birth control coverage under prescription drug plans singles out women, because only women use prescription birth control.  Because of the lack of coverage, women spend 68% more in out-of-pocket health care costs than men.