President Obama is in Denver today to outline the choice in this
election and how it will affect every woman in America. This election
decides whether years of struggle for basic health care rights that so
many women fought for will be rolled back. I'll be standing with the
President in Colorado because I believe we must defend those rights --
and that means reelecting a President who stands with us.
This choice is personal for all of us because it will impact each of
our lives. But for me, it's intensely personal. Earlier this year, I was
publicly attacked by Rush Limbaugh and others for testifying before
members of Congress. I had shared stories of my friends and other young
women, stories no different from those I've heard from women who also
worry about having the health care they need.
Fortunately, we have a President who has fought for our right to
quality, affordable care. That's the promise behind President Obama's
health reform: we should have access to basic health care no matter
where we work or study or what gender we are. And Obamacare is already
delivering access to care for millions of women.
As of one week ago, thanks to Obamacare, 47 million nationwide who
are starting to get preventive care, like cancer screenings, well-woman
visits and contraception, at no cost.
When Obamacare takes full effect, we'll never again be denied
coverage because of a pre-existing condition like being a survivor of
domestic violence or breast cancer, or having had a Caesarean section.
Nor will we ever again be charged more than men for the same insurance
just because we're women.
Since day one, President Obama has fought for women's health care
rights and the economic security that goes with access to affordable
insurance. I wish that were true for Mitt Romney.
Mr. Romney offers only dangerous promises to roll back these rights.
I'm going to take him at his word -- and every woman in America should,
too. On Obamacare, he says he'll "kill it dead" on day one, eliminating
mandatory coverage for lifesaving preventive care and once again letting
insurance companies play by their own rules.
Mr. Romney has said over and over that he would "get rid" of federal
funding for Planned Parenthood, which is a provider for more than 3
million people across the country who need cancer screenings and other
basic health care. He also applauded a proposed law that would allow any
employer, religious or not, to deny employees coverage for any medical
service, not just contraception.
That's an alarming lack of vision from someone who wants to lead our
country. But I've already seen what Mr. Romney's lack of leadership
looks like.
When I was verbally attacked earlier this year, I was heartened by
the many Americans who reached out in support, regardless of their
politics. President Obama was one of them. He condemned those hateful
words and supported my right to speak without being attacked.
Mr. Romney was not. When Rush Limbaugh called me a "slut" and a
"prostitute" for speaking about medical needs for contraception, Mr.
Romney could only say that it "wasn't the language [he] would have
used." If Mr. Romney can't stand up to the extreme voices in his own
party, we know he'll never stand up for women and protect the rights
that generations of women fought so hard to ensure.
As we register to vote -- as we walk into the voting booth -- we must
remember the choice we're making. One option is a candidate who
promises to turn back the clock on women's rights and our access to
health care.
Thankfully, we have a far better option: President Obama, who has
consistently stood up for us, for our rights and for our health. It's a
personal choice for each of us, but one that carries consequences for
every woman in America.
