Military Promotions Held Hostage to Abortion Care

March 29. 2023

Mar 29, 2023

Good Morning Healthcare Advocates

Thank you for reading and taking action and educating others on the need for healthcare reform. Thank you also for recommending topics to research (use the comment button below). Topics in work are rural healthcare, the hospice situation, and prison healthcare (extremely messy).

Good News

FDA Advisors are meeting in May to decide whether the French oral contraceptive Opill should be available without prescription. (Link to story)

Also, the FDA has approved first over-the-counter opioid overdose antidote Narcan. (Link to story)

Senator Tuberville’s Disrespect for the Military and for Women

The Defense Department has instituted a policy to make sure that abortion care can be provided to service members and their families who are currently assigned to states where the procedure is illegal. They can receive a short leave to travel to a legal state and receive some compensation for cost and travel. Let’s be clear, abortion care is part of health care - we have been over this so many times.

Republican Senator Tommy Tuberville is refusing to vote for 160 military promotions (high level promotions require congressional approval) because he wants the DoD policy on abortion to change. (Link to story)

I have spent most of my adult life supporting the women and men of the US military. They are dedicated, capable, and so willing to sacrifice for others to make sure the job gets done. We have a responsibility and obligation to provide healthcare for them and their families. It really is the least we can do.

Senator Tuberville’s choice to treat women as less than competent in matters of their own health is a vicious attack on people who have decided to sacrifice themselves for our safety and security.

Let’s recall how easy it is for doctors to allow women with complicated pregnancies to transition to near death conditions before they operate. That’s the difference between abortion to preserve the mother’s health and abortion in case of a medical emergency.

Secretary of Defense Austin has indicated that if this policy is overturned that it will affect military readiness. He is right. Many in the military will leave since their healthcare is not assured.

TAKE ACTION

If you ARE a constituent in Alabama you can contact Senator Tuberville’s office, 202-224-4124, and tell him his obstinate stand to treat women as second class citizens is risking the defense of our country and you want him to stop it.

If you are NOT a resident of Alabama you can use Resistbot to send your senator this message

Text SIGN PXMYTJ to 50409 to send your senators the message below.

I am outraged that Senator Tuberville of Alabama has chosen to treat women as 2nd class citizens by opposing abortion care for those in the military and their families. He is holding well deserved military promotions hostage to deny abortion care for the military. These soldiers have decided to dedicate themselves to our protection and the least we can do is make sure they have the best healthcare available. His behavior is despicable and I want you to contact his office (202-224-4124) and let him know that. Tell him to stop blocking well deserved military promotions because he wants to treat women as property not people.