As Women Benefit from Preventative Care Provisions, Allen Remains Opposed
Richmond, VA—Today as many as 47 million women across Virginia and the nation began benefiting from a provision in the Affordable Care Act that expands free access to preventative health services including FDA-approved contraceptives and contraceptive counseling - a provision that former Senator Allen is on record opposing.
As the Roanoke Times reported last month, Allen opposes the preventative health provision of the Affordable Care Act despite the economic and health benefits it will offer for millions of women starting today. Allen's opposition would put those benefits out of reach for many and reflects his continued hostility toward women's health.
As a Senator Allen voted twice against legislation that would have given women the same access to prescription contraception that men had for Viagra.
Allen supports personhood legislation at the federal level that could ban some forms of FDA-approved birth control, he came out for the Blunt amendment that would have taken decisions about preventative health away from women and given it to their employers and he has repeatedly refused to condemn Bob McDonnell's forced ultrasound legislation.
Virginians need a Senator who will continue to expand access to affordable care and contraception that keeps women healthy. They don't need another six years of Allen's anti-women's health agenda.
To read the Roanoke Times report of Allen's statements click here:
Background:
2005: Allen Voted Against An Amendment That Would Have Given Women The Same Access To Prescription Contraception That Men Have For Viagra. In 2005, Senator Clinton offered an amendment to expand women's access to preventive health care. Her amendment would have put the Equity in Prescription Insurance and Contraceptive Coverage (EPICC) bill in place, which would have required insurance plans that cover prescription drugs like Viagra to offer equitable coverage of FDA-approved contraception. [Vote 75, 3/17/05]
2003: Allen Voted Against Measure That Would Give Women The Same Access To Prescription Contraception As Men Have For Viagra. In 2003, Allen voted against an amendment that would have enacted the Equity in Prescription Insurance and Contraceptive Coverage Act of 2003 (EPICC). EPICC required insurance plans that covered prescription drugs to also offer equitable coverage of FDA-approved contraception. The EPICC bill had previously been introduced twice by Senator Olympia Snowe, as S104 in 2001, and as S1214 in 2003. Both bills were co-sponsored by Senator John Warner. [Vote 45, 3/11/03]
