Blog: News Update – March 12, 2019
by corcrc-admin
Dear Friend of CORCRC,
The issue of personhood, “fetal rights,” is now in the Alabama courts. An Alabama man is suing an abortion clinic on behalf of a fetus, referred to as “Baby Roe” by the Judge. The plaintiff, Ryan Magers, names the fetus as a co-plaintiff in the suit for “wrongful death” because his ex-girlfriend decided not to carry her unwanted pregnancy to term. This case could open Pandora’s box to erode Roe by possibly granting legal rights to fetuses equal to or greater than the woman carrying them. Another challenge to Roe is the possibility of mandating that the sperm donor be given the power of approving the medical procedure of abortion. Both of these potential changes in the law are frightening and must not see the light of day.
Alabama Judge Allows Man to Sue Clinic on Behalf of Aborted Fetus – Washington Post
Alabama Judge Allows Man to Sue on Behalf of Aborted Fetus – The Cut
Challenges to reproductive rights and access are ubiquitous. It is necessary to pay attention to the Alabama case and monitor the lawsuits challenging Title X- the gag rule. Twenty-one states, including Colorado, are seeking a court injunction to stop the gag rule from taking effect in 60 days. The new ruling would prohibit any agency who receives Title X funding from providing an abortion, making an abortion referral or mentioning abortion. Challenges to this rule are being described as an “extraordinary overreach” by Health and Human Services. If these regulations were to be enforced 4 million low income women would be deprived of needed health care and physicians would not be allowed to provide comprehensive accurate information about medical care.
21 States to File Suit to Block Trump Administration’s ‘Gag Rule’ in Family Planning Program – Washington Post
The Colorado Reproductive Health, Rights and Justice Coalition (CORCRC is a proud member) is pro-actively working to preserve and strengthen the reproductive rights and access of Coloradoans by developing The CARE Act (Colorado Access to Reproductive (Health) Equity Act). The CARE ACT will—
- The bill reaffirms the right to privacy in medical decisions into Colorado State Law.
- Ensures coverage of contraceptives at no co-pay in state law, protecting this coverage from changes in Federal law.
- Expands access to the full range of reproductive health care services in the private insurance market.
- Ensures immigrants are able to get the reproductive health care coverage they need to plan for and have healthy pregnancies.
CARE ACT.
Stay tuned to find out more about the progress of the CARE ACT.
Legislation Update
Grass Roots Efforts WORK: This was a good week for grass roots efforts. The Colorado Reproductive Freedom Lobby Day sponsored by the nine organizations that make up the Colorado Reproductive Health, Rights and Justice Coalition was a great success with updated information and inspiring speakers. Many of us met with our Legislators and reaffirmed that advocacy for Reproductive Rights, Health and Justice is thriving and strong.
Join CORCRC in supporting the following bills:
HB19-1032 Comprehensive Human Sexuality Education/The Youth Wellness Act. Concerning comprehensive human sexuality education, and, in connection therewith, making an appropriation. This bill allocates $1million in state funds annually to an existing grant program administered by CDPHE. Schools that wish to provide sex ed can apply for funding, and priority will be given to rural schools and schools that don’t have the resources to teach sex ed. This bill will be going to appropriations
HB19-1001 Hospital Transparency Measures To Analyze Efficacy Concerning hospital transparency measures required to analyze the efficacy of hospital delivery system reform incentive payments, Sen. D. Moreno is a sponsor. Passed by House. Last Action: 2/4/19, assigned to Senate Health & Human Services Committee.Last Action: 03/7/2019 | Senate Committee on Health & Human Services Refer Amended – Consent Calendar to Senate Committee of the Whole. Sponsors: Rep. C. Kennedy
HB19-1004 Proposal For Affordable Health Coverage Option, The bill requires the department of health care policy and financing and the division of insurance in the department of regulatory agencies (departments) to develop and submit a proposal (proposal) to certain committees of the general assembly concerning the design, costs, benefits, and implementation of a state option for health care coverage. Additionally, the departments shall present a summary of the proposal at the annual joint hearings with the legislative committees of reference during the interim before the 2020 legislative session. LAST ACTION: 03/7/2019 | Introduced In Senate – Assigned to Health & Human Services Sponsors: Rep.D.Roberts | Rep.M.Catlin Sen.K.Donovan
HB19-1064 Victim Notification Criminal Proceedings Concerning eliminating requirements that victims must opt in to effect their rights in criminal proceedings. Proactively adds victims into the notification of criminal proceedings system unless the victim opts out. Last Action: 02/28/2019 | House Committee on Judiciary Refer Amended to Appropriations. Sponsors: Rep. T. Sullivan
HB19-1122 Colorado Department Of Public Health And Environment Maternal Mortality Review Committee Concerning the creation of a maternal mortality review committee in the department of public health and environment. LAST ACTION: 02/13/2019 | House Committee on Public Health Care & Human Services Refer Amended to Appropriations Sponsors: Rep. J. Buckner | Rep. L. Landgraf | Sen. R. Fields | Sen. B. Gardner
SB19-085 Equal Pay For Equal Work Act Concerning the creation of the “Equal Pay for Equal Work Act” in order to implement measures to prevent pay disparities. LAST ACTION: 02/20/2019 | Senate Committee on Judiciary Refer Amended to Appropriations. Sponsors: Sen. J. Danielson | Sen. B. Pettersen | Rep. J. Buckner | Rep. S. Gonzales-Gutierrez
HB19-1224 Free Menstrual Hygiene Products In Custody Concerning providing free menstrual hygiene products to people in custody. The bill requires local jails, multijurisdictional jails, and municipal jails to provide menstrual hygiene products to people in custody at no expense to the people in custody. In House Judiciary Committee 3.14.2019 at 1:30 Sponsors: Rep. Leslie Herod, Senator Faith Winter.
SB19-188 FAMLI Family Medical Leave Insurance Program. Concerning the creation of a family and medical leave insurance program. This bill would guarantee all Colorado workers up to 12 weeks of paid leave to care for themselves and their family. LAST ACTION: 03/7/2019 | Introduced In Senate – Assigned to Business, Labor, & Technology. SPONSORS: Sen. F. Winter | Sen. A. Williams | Rep. M. Gray | Rep. M. Duran
With comments or questions, or if you would like to get involved with CORCRC, please contact Nora Bashir, CORCRC Exec Director at nora@corcrc.org or Joyce Lisbin at joyce@corcrc.orgPoints of Interest:
Correction: Last week, an article about CORCRC’s ALL OPTION COUNSELING was featured. RCAR was identified as the former name for CORCRC but not spelled out. RCAR stands for Religious Coalition for Abortion Rights and has a long/proud history. For more information about RCAR history go to: http://rcrc.org/history/
Knowledge is power and the road to health, good decisions about sexual health and consent.
Read: How to Make Sex More Dangerous – NYTimes
Upcoming Events
March
March 16th: Join JUUST in launching an exciting new model for sober and clean intentional community, a different economic model in resistance to the challenging financial circumstances so many are struck with. Join us as we lunch into love and recovery and healing and wellness and community.
Call or text Rev. Ruth (former member of the CORCRC Board of Trustees) at 720.290.5715, or email info@juustliving.org with any questions.
1-4pm
JUUST Living
1629 Simms St., Lakewood 80215
May
May 1st: Save the Date: CORCRC will be hosting Women and Family Day. This is a fine opportunity to share your opinion about legislation directly with representatives.
May 7th: Save the Date: Faith and Freedom – The CORCRC annual award ceremony will take place at Temple Emanuel. This year’s honoree is Senator Joann Ginal. She is the newest state Senator representing Ft Collins and surrounding area. She has been a strong supporter of reproductive justice and a devoted friend to CORCRC.
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