How Far Have We Come When it Comes to Covering Women’s Birth Control? We Shall See.
Ten years ago today, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) ruled that refusing to cover prescription contraception in an employee health plan – if other similar preventive services and prescription drugs were covered in that plan -violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the amendment to Title VII, the Pregnancy Discrimination Act. It was a monumental victory for women, many of whom spend the majority of their reproductive lives (approximately three decades) trying to avoid an unintended pregnancy. Women rely on contraception to plan their families, and appropriately and safely space their children.
It’s Politics v. Science. Again.
It’s a fact: Contraceptive use improves overall health. It enables women to plan and space their pregnancies. It has contributed to dramatic declines in maternal and infant mortality. And it has been a driving force in reducing unintended pregnancies and the need for abortion.
Honoring our Families During National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month and National Family Caregivers Month
Imagine living with someone you are crazy about who gradually turns into a stranger. Alzheimer’s disease is a heartbreaking disease, not just because it takes a loved one in death, but because first, it takes that person’s mind, personality, memory and character – the things that made us love them in the first place.
Continuing the March toward Equality
A few weeks ago, voters sent a clear message: They want Congress to work in a bipartisan manner to address the issues facing working families. But when Senators took their first vote after returning to Washington, they missed the chance to do just that. Yesterday’s vote on the Paycheck Fairness Act was a failed opportunity and a real disappointment for all of us who care about fairness, women’s progress, and economic security for working families.
Paid Sick Days Champion Wins Connecticut Governorship
Dan Malloy, former mayor of Stamford, Connecticut, and staunch supporter of paid sick days, was elected governor of Connecticut earlier this month — demonstrating the importance of paid sick days to working families in Connecticut, and the power the issue can have in an election.
Final Hour for Fair Pay?!
Today, the Senate returns to Washington — and the Paycheck Fairness Act is one of the first bills on its agenda. Passing the Paycheck Fairness Act is more important than ever.
Success is Inevitable
Today’s working families are juggling ‘Ozzie and Harriet’ policies in a web 2.0 world, and it’s simply not sustainable. Workers are struggling to care for their families while both parents hold jobs. Families are straining to meet increasing child- and eldercare responsibilities. Parents have little savings to fall back on, and few jobs – and even fewer good jobs – to apply for, should they lose the jobs they have.
Changing the Game: Workplace Flexibility for All
The National Partnership was pleased to be invited to participate in the National Dialogue on Workplace Flexibility in smaller businesses, sponsored by the White House and U.S. Department of Labor in Dallas, Texas last month. This event was the first of four National Dialogue on Workplace Flexibility events, scheduled for 2010 and 2011. Next up is a regional event in Atlanta next week focused on workplace flexibility in the health care industry.
The Imperative to Protect Women’s Economic Security
President Obama has made protecting women’s economic security a priority since Day One.
UPDATE: Speaker Quinn Won’t Move on NYC Paid Sick Time Act
City Council Speaker Christine Quinn’s decision to oppose the New York City Paid Sick Time Act — despite a supermajority in the City Council that is in favor of the bill — is incredibly disappointing.
Heard on the Hill: The Healthy Families Act Promotes Economic Security & Public Health
As Members of Congress campaign for votes at home, the National Partnership for Women & Families and two of our key allies have been hard at work educating Congressional staff about the public health and economic security case for paid sick days policies.
The Gap that Keeps on Giving: Paycheck Unfairness Hurts in Retirement Too
It is well-documented that the wage gap hurts women and their families by denying them the fair wages that would help them pay for essential items like groceries, gasoline, and rent or mortgage payments. But the pay gap hurts women long after they have left the workforce, too.
