We're finally getting the COVID-19 relief we need, and you helped get it over the finish line.
Congress passed the American Rescue Plan Act, much-needed legislation that addresses the health care and economic crisis caused by the pandemic — and includes support for sexual and reproductive health care.
The final bill passed in the Senate 50-49, 220-211 in the House, and President Biden signed it into law today. (Don't forget, you helped make that possible, too!)
This is a major win, and we want to say thank you.
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We've been fighting for a lot of what's in this bill for nearly a year. Thousands and thousands of your calls, emails, and texts demanding action have helped bring critical relief to the communities who need it most. Voters who put reproductive rights champions in power in the White House and Congress helped guarantee that sexual and reproductive health were included in this relief.
In a time when access to health care should be made easier, not harder, it's disturbing that some senators cynically tried to use this relief bill to restrict abortion coverage. But thanks to the reproductive health champions that you elected, those discriminatory efforts were defeated. Instead, the bill includes $50 million in critical funding for the Title X family planning program and did not expand abortion coverage restrictions — which is a victory for our mission to ensure everyone has access to sexual and reproductive health care, no matter their income.
Please know that your tireless support has also resulted in direct economic relief for tens of millions of people in the hardest-hit communities, increased funding for vaccine distribution, expanded Medicaid and ACA coverage, and a significant investment in child care.
This is a huge step in the right direction, and we're so grateful that you joined us in the fight to demand more from our elected officials.
As always, the work continues, but we hope you take a moment to celebrate this win with us.
