Support the Women’s Health and Wellness Act

Resolution Adopted by the Democratic State Committee --  May 4, 2001

  

      Whereas, the New York State Assembly has passed a bill, Women’s Health and Wellness Act (A2006), designed to insure that employers and health insurance companies provide adequate and complete health care for women, including screenings for cervical cancer, osteoporosis, annual breast exams and periodic mammograms, as well as coverage for birth control and fertility treatment; and 

            Whereas, the New York State Senate has passed a similar bill (S3) which contains a "conscience clause" which would exempt religious institutions from providing contraceptives to women employees, in cases where such care offends the employers’ conscience, and  

            Whereas, the NYS Democratic Committee believes that a woman’s access to health care should not be restricted by the religious beliefs of her employer, 

            Now therefore, be it resolved, the Democratic State urges the N.Y.S. Legislature to pass a bill that provides for complete and adequate health care for women, with no exemptions for religious institutions. 

            Be it further resolved that the New York State Democratic Committee calls on the New York State Legislature to insure that religiously sponsored HMOs cannot deny family planning services to Medicaid enrollees. 

            This resolution was written by Elizabeth Starkey, adopted by the Manhattan Caucus and the Reform Caucus of the NY Democratic State Committee, and adopted at the meeting of the Democratic State Committee in Albany, NY on May 4, 2001.