Proposed Contraceptive Coverage Regulations Threaten the Health of 女性 and their Families

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2017年10月24日

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A few weeks ago, I had the honor of meeting with several young women in southeastern Colorado. Many of them were preparing to graduate from high school or already in college, pursuing careers and building their dreams for the future. We talked about the things 那。 worry them and the barriers they face every day. 会议结束后不久，美国政府宣布.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Justice Department 提议修改联邦法规那。, 如果采用, would allow more employers to deny insurance coverage for family planning services – a move 那。 would undoubtedly put health further out of reach for many Colorado women, 他们的孩子和家庭.

当这个规则被提出的时候, 我立刻想到了那些年轻的女人, 我们州还有很多其他的人, who deserve to have access to family planning services and affordable contraceptives to live healthy lives. Including contraceptive coverage in insurance plans has increased access to a full range of contraceptive methods and family planning services for millions of women – especially for those who need them the most.

At the Colorado Health Foundation, we work 使健康触手可及 to all Coloradans. 我们认为，健康是一项基本人权. 和, we fear this proposed rule could jeopardize too many lives and bright futures to not have a voice in the matter. We have seen the benefits of bringing affordable contraception and family planning services in reach to more women in Colorado. 这些好处包括:

支持婴儿健康起步;
Strengthening women’s overall health; and
Bolstering both educational and economic opportunities for Colorado families.

According to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Colorado’s teen birth rate and the number of abortions for teenagers and young women have dramatically dropped because of improved access to contraceptives and other vital family planning services. 自2008年以来, the birth rate for young women aged 15-19 has been cut by more than half, 下降了53%, 20-24岁的女性则下降了30%.

Having access to women’s health and family planning services allows women to continue their education, further their careers and do more of what they and their families need to in order to live healthy lives. Bringing affordable contraception and family planning services in reach for Colorado women empowers them to make thoughtful and informed decisions on when and if to start a family.

作为一个女人, 一位母亲，也是这个组织的领导者, I am hard pressed to ignore the fact 那。 this proposed rule change could not only slow the progress our state has seen on reducing teen birth rates and abortions, 但是反过来看.

我们的基金会写了一封信 to the Department of Health and Human Services and the Justice Department asking them to strongly consider the impact of this proposed rule and reject it. We encourage you to keep this important conversation alive by sharing the below resources, along with compelling stories of women and their families who have experienced the benefits of family planning services.

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