SAFEGUARD WOMEN'S HEALTHCARE

WHEREAS, women fought hard for the right to safe, legal reproductive health services and the right to determine whether and when to have children. The AFT has long supported these important rights; and

WHEREAS, the American Federation of Teachers is a strong supporter of healthcare reform that would provide universal coverage and access to quality healthcare at a reasonable cost; and

WHEREAS, women are the majority of our members and need reproductive healthcare. The ability to have a healthy pregnancy, birth control, reproductive freedom, including abortion, infertility care, and preventive healthcare services such as mammograms, pap tests and HPV screenings are necessary to women's health; and

WHEREAS, healthcare has underscored the vulnerability of women's health to political agendas. Legislation has been proposed that would eliminate or restrict women's ability to access reproductive freedom, including abortion and other reproductive health services:

RESOLVED, that the American Federation of Teachers renew its commitment to ensure that women maintain their right to reproductive choice and have access to all reproductive health services; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT work to ensure that healthcare for women is inclusive of all women's health needs and does not require greater out-of-pocket costs based on gender.