Planned Parenthood of Illinois Applauds U.S. Senate Committee Move to Allow Abortion Coverage for Peace Corps Volunteers in Cases of Rape, Incest or Life Endangerment
For Immediate Release: Jan. 30, 2014
Provision Would Grant Women in the Peace Corps the Same Coverage as Women in the Armed Forces
The U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee approved today a provision that would lift the total ban on abortion coverage for Peace Corps volunteers in the bill that funds U.S. foreign affairs. This provision would grant women in the Peace Corps access to abortion coverage in cases of rape, incest or life endangerment—the same coverage that women in the armed services receive.
A broad bipartisan majority supported the bill. 23 Senators voted in favor and seven opposed. Illinois Senator Durbin and Senator Kirk voted in support of the bill.
“It is only fair that a Peace Corps volunteer has access to abortion, as women in the armed services do, if she is the victim of rape or incest, or when her life is endangered,” said Carole Brite, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Illinois. “Women in the Peace Corps should be able to make private medical decisions and access high-quality medical care without the interference of politicians.”
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Planned Parenthood of Illinois (PPIL) provides affordably-priced, high-quality reproductive health care services to women and families throughout Illinois. Through health care services, educational programs and advocacy efforts, PPIL works to ensure and protect the reproductive rights of each individual. For more information, visit www.ppil.org.
Source
Planned Parenthood of Illinois
Contact
Lara Philipps
312-592-6820 (office)
312-622-6451 (cell)
Published
July 25, 2013