It’s Time to Raise our Voices for Health Care Reform: What you can do

Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court finished hearing oral arguments challenging the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) constitutionality. This groundbreaking law advances women by protecting them from discrimination in the health care system – and protecting their children from being denied coverage due to a pre-existing condition. Sound like a good idea? We agree.

The Supreme Court might have concluded their hearings, but the Raising Wisconsin Women’s Voices blog knows that our followers aren’t done speaking out in support of the law yet! Advocates like you have a critical opportunity to be a part of the national dialog, speaking out in support of the incredible victory the ACA brings for Wisconsin women.

How to raise your voice! When reading a newspaper, most readers turn to the Letters to the Editor page first. Writing a letter to the editor is one of the best ways to have your voice heard by thousands of readers. It is also an easy and effective way to educate and raise awareness of important issues – like reproductive rights and health issues affecting your community!

Busy? Time is one of the barriers to getting involved for many individuals just trying to make it through their day-to-day routine. Writing a letter to the editor is easy to do and doesn’t require a lot of time, yet is extremely effective. But, if you are still short on time you can take advantage of our sample letter below. Adapt it to make it fit your unique story. Be sure to also share your story with us – link, here.

Sample Letter to the Editor:

Affordable Care Act, the Right Choice for Wisconsin Women

A lot of national attention has been focused on the health care reform law (Affordable Care Act) recently. It is important to remember that this law is an incredible victory for women and their families in Wisconsin. Healthy women contribute to healthy communities. Unfortunately, the health care system has consistently failed to meet the needs of women like me. [OPTION: INSERT SENTENCE OF YOUR STORY] Women are most likely to make health care decisions for their family, and are the least likely to be able to afford health care.

Two years ago, the Obama Administration made landmark progress towards ensuring and enhancing coverage for women and their families. Under the ACA, women will no longer be charged more for the same plans as men, will no longer be denied coverage because they have had a C-section or other “preexisting condition,” and will have access to affordable, accessible health care plans through online insurance exchanges.

It is particularly disappointing that – both in Wisconsin and nationally – opponents are fighting to roll back the ACA’s many benefits. The Walker Administration refuses to acknowledge and implement these benefits for women in Wisconsin, and has gone so far as to return federal dollars to implement a Wisconsin-specific insurance exchange.  Further, the U.S. Supreme Court heard challenges to the law’s constitutionality just recently.

It is particularly important that the U.S. Supreme court upholds all provisions of the ACA. We need meaningful implementation of reform in Wisconsin – giving women like me the rights and protection we need and deserve. I urge our lawmakers: Protect our health care. Protect the health care law.