Last week regulations to restore affordable birth control were included in the 2009 Appropriations Bill and successfully passed through the House.  At this moment, the Bill is currently being debated in the Senate and is timelined to be on President Obama's desk this Friday.  Today, Senator DeMint offered Amendment 649, a move that would strip affordable birth control from the Bill!  DeMint has characterized the Affordable Birth Control Provision in the bill as "an earmark for Planned Parenthood" even though it is of no-cost to the government.

A result of the Deficit Reduction Act, birth control prices have skyrocketed on college campuses the last two years.  Students have reported seeing a rise of their prescriptions from $3 to $10 to $30 to $50. 

Take a moment to call your Senators NOW and encourage them to work hard to keep Affordable Birth Control in the 2009 Appropriations Bill and to strike Amendment 649 down.  Stand together with women across the country in demanding affordable birth control now!  Together we can get affordable birth control back in our clinics and on our campuses! 

Find your Senators' phone numbers here and suggested talking points below.

After you've called, let us know how it went!

Thanks for joining us in the fight for affordable birth control!

Choice USA

Script for Calling Your Senator: 

May I please speak with the Health or Women's Issues Legislative Assistant?

Hi! My name is _______ and I'm (a student at __________)/(constituent from____). I am calling about keeping Affordable Birth Control in the Appropriations Bill and Senator DeMint's Amendment 649 aimed to strip it from the Bill. 

I am committed to getting affordable birth control back in the hands of the millions of women and students across the country impacted by the Deficit Reduction Act passed in 2005.   

4 in 10 women of reproductive age have no insurance coverage.  Senator DeMint's Amendment 649 characterizes the Affordable Birth Control Provision in the Bill as an "earmark for Planned Parenthood."  The truth is this provision is a no-cost opportunity for Congress to remove barriers women and students face in accessing affordable healthcare.     

(Student) : If the Senate keeps affordable birth control in the Bill, I will be able to access contraceptives in this difficult economy that has me putting my healthcare second to the cost of rent, tuition, books and my basic needs. 

Myself and millions of other women and students would sincerely appreciate Senator ____'s support to keep Affordable Birth Control in the Bill and his/her help in striking Amendment 649 down. 

Thank you for your time!