Looks like we'll be spending another exciting Saturday night in front of the TV watching Congress debating a health care reform. I'm awfully glad women are so important that our bodies and our health seem to be a center of attention. On the other hand, I'm furious that the attention is once again on taking away abortion coverage rather than working to make sure women have access to all the basic health care services they need without Congress telling them what to do about their own lives, especially decisions as profound as childbearing and reproductive health.

It's urgent that all senators hear from us TODAY AND TOMORROW.  I vote in Arizona. My senators are Jon Kyl and John McCain, both 100% anti-choice Republicans who are almost certainly going to vote against the final bill. But still, they need to hear from me and you. Let them feel the heat.

So I've just signed this letter to my senators, prompted by the Center for Reproductive Rights which has it all set up so it'll even figure out who your senators are and send it to them for you. Actually, I made several edits to the CRR letter and you can to if like me you find it too wussy for you. Here is my version--lif anything you want:

I’m joining with the Center for Reproductive Rights to urge you to vote in favor of opening debate on the Senate healthcare reform bill HR 3590.

I hope you’re working hard to make sure every American has access to fair, quality healthcare. I have children in Arizona without health insurance because they can't afford it now despite working very hard to make ends meet, and they need more affordable options. It’s critical that women’s needs are accounted for and protected within any health reform bill, in order to make it viable and worthwhile.

It is absolutely crucial that the current Senate bill prevail. While I am not altogether happy about the compromise that has been struck to restrict abortion coverage, Sen. Reid's bill at least ensures that women across the country keep the coverage that already they have.

Abortion decisions are not the government's business. Abortion is however a common experience and a constitutionally protected and morally appropriate medical procedure that one in three women will have in their lifetime and that's why a majority of private insurers cover it today.

Women's health care needs have already been compromised substantially and shamefully in order to help pass the bill, and Senator Reid's merged bill contains even more stringent segregation of funds and other requirements to ensure that no federal money will pay for abortion services.

I urge the Senate to fight for women in this country and reject any attempts to roll back the clock on women's health and rights.

Thank you for your time.

Gloria Feldt

htttp://www.GloriaFeldt.com