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February 22, 2012
Statement from Tanya Atkinson, Executive Director of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin
State Assembly Repeals Pay Equity
The extreme legislative agenda continued in the State Assembly yesterday when legislators voted on party lines to repeal last session’s Pay Equity Law. During a time of economic crisis conservative members of our Legislature have instead worked to limit women’s access to cancer screens and birth control and now women’s right to equitable compensation. Women only make 78 cents on the dollar compared to their male counterparts, so a law providing protection to women who are unfairly compensated merely because of their gender is common sense.
Ninety two percent of Planned Parenthood’s patients are women most of whom live below the federal poverty level. Women already pay 68% more in out of pocket costs for health care than men largely because of health insurance gaps for birth control. To erect additional financial barriers to women during an economic downturn when the public is clamoring for greater access to jobs and health care is a step in the wrong direction. Yesterday’s vote will means that once again Wisconsin women will have to work harder to achieve equity under the current legislative leadership.
We have seen an unprecedented attack on women’s health care access. Cuts to women’s access to breast and cervical cancer screenings, birth control and the risk that an additional 65,000 Wisconsinites will lose their access to health care under Badgercare, are just more examples of how this legislative leadership has failed us during one of our greatest time of need.
Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin will continue to serve the health care needs of communities across Wisconsin providing non-judgmental, lifesaving care for all women. While Governor Walker and the Republican majority continue to repeal women’s rights and health care access we will continue to advocate for the women who deserve a fair paying job and access to high quality, affordable health care.
To see more on the cuts to women’s health go click HERE.
For more information about Women are Watching click HERE.
Statement from Tanya Atkinson, Executive Director of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin
State Assembly Repeals Pay Equity
The extreme legislative agenda continued in the State Assembly yesterday when legislators voted on party lines to repeal last session’s Pay Equity Law. During a time of economic crisis conservative members of our Legislature have instead worked to limit women’s access to cancer screens and birth control and now women’s right to equitable compensation. Women only make 78 cents on the dollar compared to their male counterparts, so a law providing protection to women who are unfairly compensated merely because of their gender is common sense.
Ninety two percent of Planned Parenthood’s patients are women most of whom live below the federal poverty level. Women already pay 68% more in out of pocket costs for health care than men largely because of health insurance gaps for birth control. To erect additional financial barriers to women during an economic downturn when the public is clamoring for greater access to jobs and health care is a step in the wrong direction. Yesterday’s vote will means that once again Wisconsin women will have to work harder to achieve equity under the current legislative leadership.
We have seen an unprecedented attack on women’s health care access. Cuts to women’s access to breast and cervical cancer screenings, birth control and the risk that an additional 65,000 Wisconsinites will lose their access to health care under Badgercare, are just more examples of how this legislative leadership has failed us during one of our greatest time of need.
Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin will continue to serve the health care needs of communities across Wisconsin providing non-judgmental, lifesaving care for all women. While Governor Walker and the Republican majority continue to repeal women’s rights and health care access we will continue to advocate for the women who deserve a fair paying job and access to high quality, affordable health care.
To see more on the cuts to women’s health go click HERE.
For more information about Women are Watching click HERE.