By Cindy Weese, executive director, and Caitlin Copple, marketing and communications coordinator

On Dec. 2, YWCA Missoula will join with YWCA USA for a National Day of Action to lobby Congress to pass comprehensive health insurance reform that protects women’s health needs, including access to abortion care. We encourage Montanans to join us in calling or e-mailing our senators to advocate for women’s rights in health care reform.

The YWCA’s mission is to eliminate racism, empower women and promote peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. To us, that mission encompasses universal health care and a woman’s right to decide what’s best for her body, her family and herself.

YWCA Missoula supports much of the current House bill (HR 3962), which passed on Nov. 7. The bill includes such laudable provisions as: expanding Medicaid to all individuals under 150 percent of the poverty line; providing help to families and individuals so they can afford health care; allowing young people to be covered by their parent’s insurance until they are age 27; ending the discriminatory practice of denying coverage based on pre-existing conditions, which can include c-sections or being a victim of rape or domestic violence; capping out-of pocket expenses; and creating a competitive public option plan. On Dec. 2, YWCA Missoula will join with YWCA USA for a National Day of Action to lobby Congress to pass comprehensive health insurance reform that protects women’s health needs, including access to abortion care. We encourage Montanans to join us in calling or e-mailing our senators to advocate for women’s rights in health care reform.

The YWCA’s mission is to eliminate racism, empower women and promote peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. To us, that mission encompasses universal health care and a woman’s right to decide what’s best for her body, her family and herself.

YWCA Missoula supports much of the current House bill (HR 3962), which passed on Nov. 7. The bill includes such laudable provisions as: expanding Medicaid to all individuals under 150 percent of the poverty line; providing help to families and individuals so they can afford health care; allowing young people to be covered by their parent’s insurance until they are age 27; ending the discriminatory practice of denying coverage based on pre-existing conditions, which can include c-sections or being a victim of rape or domestic violence; capping out-of pocket expenses; and creating a competitive public option plan. Read the rest