Legislating Virility and
Fertility
Viagra -- they're talking about it on the golf course, over
backyard fences and on Leno and Letterman. And insurance companies are rushing to
consider coverage for this new drug for impotency. Meanwhile, in the United States, only
one-third of large group fee-for-service insurance plans cover oral contraceptives, which
can cost $300 for a year's supply.
"It sounds like they're saying virility is important to cover, but fertility is
not," says Marceline White, director of the Club's International Population Campaign.
"As it is, women pay 68 percent more in out-of-pocket health care costs."
The Equity in Prescription Insurance and Contraceptive Coverage Act, S. 766 and H.R.
2174, would force insurance plans that cover prescription drugs and devices to also cover
contraceptives.
"Access to family planning options like contraceptives is the most effective way
to stabilize population growth, so this is an environmental, health and equity
issue," says White.
To take action: The Senate is expected to
consider the bill in July, so before July 14, ask your senator to co-sponsor S. 766.
For more information: Contact Marceline White at (202) 675-7901; marceline.white@sierraclub.org
No-Logging Bill Needs
Co-Sponsors
The heat is on to get more co-sponsors for H.R. 2789,
which would eliminate all commercial logging on national forests. Introduced last October
by Reps. Cynthia McKinney (D-Ga.) and Jim Leach (R-Iowa), the National Forest Protection
and Restoration Act has 29 co-sponsors.
Activists hit Washington, D.C., in June for a training and lobby week, and the number of
environmental, religious, taxpayer and civic groups endorsing the bill now tops 100.
"In fiscal year 1996, nearly 800 million taxpayer dollars were appropriated for
the timber-sale program, and not a dime was returned to the Treasury," says Chad
Hanson, No Commercial Logging campaign chair. "All this for a program that provides
less than 4 percent of the nation's annual wood consumption."
To take action: Call your representative's
office to see if he or she is already a co-sponsor. If so, send a thank you note. If not,
write or call and urge co-sponsorship.
(See How to Take Action)
Other ideas: Write letters to the editor. Organize a monthly
letter-to-the-editor writing group through your Club group or chapter. Meet with editorial
boards of local papers and convince them to support the bill in writing. Write a guest
editorial. Meet with your representative during the next recess and make a personal plea.
Seek out coalition partners -- local civic organizations, senior associations, taxpayer
groups and others. Hold a press conference, media event or demonstration.
For more information: Contact Chad Hanson at (626) 792-0109; chadhanson@ juno.com. |
