As a longtime proponent of health care reform, I truly wish that the National Organization for Women could join in celebrating the historic passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. It pains me to have to stand against what many see as a major achievement. But feminist, progressive principles are in direct conflict with many of the compromises built into and tacked onto this legislation.
Today the White House announced that it has set March 18 as the deadline for Congress to pass a final health care reform bill. President Obama has embraced the Senate’s version of health care legislation. This bill is no panacea for the nation’s broken health care system. It has major flaws that probably cannot be fixed within two weeks. However, the National Organization for Women is not about to give up — not with women’s basic human rights at stake.
“In just 100 days President Obama has begun reversing the extensive damage done to women’s rights these last eight years, giving us an idea of what is possible with enlightened leadership,” said NOW President Kim Gandy.
NOW President Kim Gandy states in this press release, “As a candidate, President-elect Barack Obama made clear his commitment to equal opportunity, and today’s cabinet announcements begin to fulfill those values.”
The health and well-being of our children should be a national priority. Unfortunately, today President Bush once again showed how little he values families and children with his veto of the Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act (H.R. 976).
Tell the Senate to vote No on the SAVE America Act.