John—

I am sending this from Capitol Hill where I’m spending the next few days talking to members of Congress about the importance of expanding health care access for service members and their dependents. The final National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) could be considered by Congress any day now, and this might be our last chance to persuade them to pass a key no co-pay birth control provision and exclude any language that further bans access to abortion. Since you can’t be here with me in person, will you take a minute to participate in our days of action by contacting your representatives?

-Jackii

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Jackii Wang
Date: July 26, 2023 1:16 PM
Subject: Tell Congress: Protect reproductive health care for military families

Dear John,

Right now, anti-abortion extremists in Congress are trying to use the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to restrict reproductive health care for service members and their families! While the House and Senate meet to negotiate their respective versions into a final bill, we need to fight to make sure any restrictions on abortion access are left out and a provision that expands access to contraception is included—and ultimately signed into law!

Congress is currently working on a finalized version of the NDAA—and two amendments that were incorporated in the passed House version would critically impact reproductive health care for service members and their families:

• THE GOOD: One provision would eliminate contraceptive copays for service members and dependents who still face out-of-pocket costs. It is critical that this provision passes into law.
• THE BAD: Another provision would strip important protections that ensure service members are given leave and financial resources when seeking abortion care off base, including for their dependents. Congress must oppose any restrictions on abortion access in the final NDAA.

Service members and their families deserve access to all reproductive health care. Year after year, when the final NDAA gets hashed out behind closed doors, a key provision to improve access to contraception gets stripped from the final bill. And, this year, extremists are trying to add a provision to limit abortion access to further their anti-abortion agenda. We can’t let Congress do that. Urge your members of Congress to protect access to birth control and abortion for all service members and their families in the final NDAA!

In solidarity,

Jackii Wang
she/her/hers
Senior Legislative Analyst
National Women's Law Center