| March 12, 2010
ISSUE: Reproductive Health
A comprehensive Reproductive Health bill, HB 6205, supported by LWVIL,
was passed out of the IL General Assembly’s House Human Services Committee on March 12. The deadline for a full House vote is March 26.
Contact your State Representative by phone, e-mail or letters as soon as possible. (Contact info at http://www.ilga.gov/).
PURPOSE: Provide a broad range of reproductive health services, including expanded family planning services, emergency contraception, improved financial access and prevention of unintended pregnancies through comprehensive sex education.
PROVISIONS:
- No level of government may interfere with decisions on contraception, termination of a pregnancy; and there shall be redress in the courts for such actions. Termination can be for the life or health of the pregnant woman. Reimbursement from State Medicaid or other medical assistance shall be at least the same as comparable services.
- Termination of pregnancy shall be according to accepted standards of medical practice by the method that will best serve the patient in the judgment of the attending physician. The Act provides comprehensive sexual health education, including sexual abstinence until marriage, curricula in all elementary and secondary schools.
BACKGROUND:
Early in 2009 LWVIL joined the Campaign for Reproductive Health and Access, along with 40 health, educational, civic and religious organizations supporting an earlier version of the bill.
Illinois Reproductive Health Coalition Members.
Since 1983 LWVUS has supported Reproductive Choices through coalitions with other pro-choice organizations, signing on to amicus briefs, opposing regulations that prohibit counseling and referral for abortion services by clinics funded with Title X funds. League also supports inclusion of reproductive services in health reform, opposes denying Medicaid funding for victims of rape and incest and has lobbied extensively against attempts to limit family planning for the United Nations Population Fund.
For more information, contact Janet Craft, Health Care Issue Specialist, issues@lwvil.org
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