Category: Legislation

NOW Supports Legislation to Repeal the Defense of Marriage Act

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The National Organization for Women is proud to stand with Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.) in support of legislation to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) … a discriminatory law that is deceptive and harmful. Under DOMA, same-sex couples who legally wed are still denied federal marriage benefits, and other states may refuse to recognize their unions. NOW thanks Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) and Rep. Jared Polis (D-Colo.) for co-sponsoring this important legislation.

NOW Urges Single-Payer as Best for Women, Says Reproductive Health Care Must Be Covered

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President Barack Obama’s address to Congress and the people of the United States resonates at a time when people are fed up with the health care status quo because it is not working. The National Organization for Women is pleased President Obama mentioned the need for a public option to provide health care to those not currently served by the profit-driven private insurance industry.

NOW Outraged at House Vote on Abortion Coverage – Women’s Rights Traded Away

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NOW is outraged to learn that the House Energy and Commerce Committee passed an amendment excluding abortion services from the ‘essential’ health benefits package as defined by the government. Under this amendment, subsidies used to help pay insurance premiums for low-income people could not be used for abortion services. The New York Times reports that “insurers must use money from private sources to pay for any abortions.

Single-Payer Health Care Would Benefit Women, Promote Equality and Justice for All

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Health care is a fundamental human right, and ensuring access to quality, affordable and comprehensive health care within the United States is a moral imperative confronting our legislators today. Since 1993, the National Organization for Women has been a leader in the campaign for single-payer health care in the U.S. It is, as President Obama noted last week, the only way to ensure coverage for everyone.

NOW Calls on Legislators to Pass the Federal Paid Parental Leave Act

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The National Organization for Women urges legislators to support the Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act, which would guarantee federal workers four weeks of paid parental leave for a new child. Paid parental leave for the 2.7 million workers employed by the federal government will help millions of working families right now, and can be a model for achieving paid parental and family leave for the rest of our nation’s workers, setting the standard for upcoming discussions about policies intended to help families balance work and family life.