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Support the Freedom of Choice Act
When the Supreme Court upheld the federal abortion ban last April, pro-choice members of Congress took a stand to protect abortion access by introducing the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA). FOCA would safeguard a woman's ability to make reproductive choices without interference from the government. Please take a moment and ask your members of Congress to support the Freedom of Choice Act!
Dear [ Decision Maker ] , As a physician, I recognize daily the importance of a doctor-patient relationship free from government interference. Health decisions, especially concerning issues as intimate as reproductive healthcare, ought to be made by a woman in consultation with her doctor and family. Please support the Freedom of Choice Act, a bill that will protect a woman's reproductive decisions. As a doctor, my patients' health is my priority. The Freedom of Choice Act respects our nation's core values of freedom, liberty, and the ability to make sound healthcare decisions without government interference. Please support the Freedom of Choice Act.
Sincerely, |
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| Background Information |
- Unintended pregnancy and abortion are common among all groups of women.
- Certain groups of women are at greater risk of unintended pregnancy.
- Almost half of all pregnancies are unintended.
Almost half of unintended pregnancies end in abortion. - Abortion is one of the safest common surgical procedures for women in the United States.
- Abortion is safe over the long term and carries little or no risk of fertility-related problems, cancer or psychological illnesses.
- Laws criminalizing abortion make abortions unsafe, but do not eliminate them.
- Although most women obtain abortions early in pregnancy, some women face substantial obstacles to access.
- Nearly four in 10 women receive coverage under Medicaid, yet 32 states allow Medicaid funding for abortion only in cases of rape, incest or life endangerment.
- Lacking insurance coverage, a poor woman often requires time to find the money to pay for an abortion, if she is able to at all.
- Legal requirements, such as parental consent for minors or waiting periods, are likely to cause further delays, increasing the risk of complications.
Source: Guttmacher Institute
