HHS’s New Division of Conscience and Religious Freedom Targets Women:

The Trump Administration has announced the creation of a new “conscience and religious freedom” division within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that will have the effect of fostering further discrimination against women, transgender individuals and others seeking full access to health care.

This dangerous move upends the core principles of medical care—the Hippocratic Oath that tells physicians, “first, do no harm,” and opens the door to medical care bigotry.

Allowing a doctor, nurse or other healthcare workers to deny medical care that goes against their so-called moral or religious beliefs would do tremendous harm, not only to individuals suffering from a medical emergency but to the fabric of society itself.

We must not tolerate a two-tier system for health care, one for “good Christians” and one for everyone else. Women have made their personal health care decisions based on their own moral and in some cases religious convictions.

The opening of this division puts in place systematic, intrusive oppression and must not be allowed to stand. If healthcare workers including doctors, feel they can not perform their professional duty they need to find other work instead of pushing their personal belief system on others. That’s what bullies do.

There’s no such thing as a religious exception to providing basic healthcare for women, LGBTQIA+ people or anyone else. This egregious act of gender bigotry must be overturned.

Contact

Emily Imhoff, press@now.org, 951-547-1241

NOW President Toni Van Pelt Joins March for Life Protest at U.S. Supreme Court:

As a “peaceful counter-presence” to the divisive, anti-abortion March for Life, supporters of reproductive freedom will gather at noon on Friday, January 19 in front of the U.S. Supreme Court.

“Imagine what it would be like if Roe v. Wade had never happened,” said Toni Van Pelt, President of the National Organization for Women (NOW).

“Imagine a return to back-alley abortions. Imagine low-income young women forced to travel hundreds of miles across multiple state lines to find a state where abortion remains legal. Imagine a meteoric rise in maternal and infant mortality rates.

“This nightmare is the fondest dream of anti-choice extremists who want to repeal Roe v. Wade. They’re using today’s Roe anniversary to double down on overturning the law of the land.”

Friday’s protest is supported by the National Organization for Women, the Feminist Majority Foundation, Lady Parts Justice and allies.

Contact

Emily Imhoff, press@now.org, 951-547-1241

NOW President Toni Van Pelt To Address Women’s March On Washington:

National Organization for Women President Toni Van Pelt will be among the speakers on Saturday, January 20, Women’s March on Washington 2018.

Women and allies will once again take to the streets of the nation’s capital to make a powerful statement to the current administration and the rest of the world. In a follow-up to the largest demonstration in U.S. history, people from across the country will meet at the Reflecting Pool in front of the Lincoln Memorial at 11a.m., for a rally followed by a march on the White House.

“This year’s elections are crucial—they will either signal a turnaround in Donald Trump’s ability to perpetuate his racist, sexist and intolerant agenda, or another two years of more of the same,” says Toni Van Pelt. “We know that women can determine the outcome in close elections. We need to build excitement and enthusiasm right now for a massive get out the vote campaign in November.”

Sponsored by March Forward Virginia, the Women’s March on Washington 2018 is part of the national Women’s March organization state-level network. Anniversary sister marches are being planned throughout the country.

Contact

Emily Imhoff, press@now.org, 951-547-1241