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WOMEN'S EQUALITY DAY SPECIAL EDITION Tomorrow, August 26th, America's women will celebrate Women's Equality Day, designated by the US Congress in 1971 to commemorate the passage of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution in 1920. The culmination of a 70-year struggle for women suffragists, the 19th Amendment guaranteed women the right to vote. Eighty-six years later the right to vote is just as important as it was when suffragists first spoke out. Unfortunately, even today, the right to vote is still not assured and continues to be under assault by Republicans and those who put barriers in the way of the ballot box. These barriers such as inflexible identification requirements work to disenfranchise young and senior women, women of color, rural and disabled women voters. Combined with vulnerabilities in voting machines and recent Republican attempts to water down the Voting Rights Act, the right to vote still needs to be protected. Democrats believe that the more people who vote the better it is for our Democracy. The less people who vote and participate in our Democracy the more likely we are to see policies that do not reflect the values and choices of America's women. As we celebrate Women's Equality Day we should reaffirm our commitment to protecting the right to vote for all Americans and ensuring that the voices of women are reflected on the ticket and in the ballot box. Click here to learn more about Women's Equality Day and opportunities to celebrate. FDA FINALLY APPROVES PLAN B AFTER YEARS OF SLOW-WALKINGThis week, after years of stalling, the Food and Drug Administration acted to approve Plan B, also known as emergency contraception, for over the counter sales to women over 18. It has been three years since the FDA's advisory committee recommended Plan B be approved for non-prescription sales, yet that approval lagged due to the politics of special interests within and outside of the agency who worked to interfere with a women's right to control her health care choices. Only after pressure from Democratic Senators and the leadership of Senators Hillary Clinton (NY) and Patty Murray (WA), did the FDA finally listen to sound science and the advice of respected physicians and approve the drug for over the counter sales. Despite the stalling, the FDA's long awaited decision is a positive step towards improving preventative efforts and expanding health care options which help decrease the number of unwanted pregnancies. This decision will expand women's health care options and empower more women to make informed and educated decisions about their health care. Democrats believe that working to prevent and reduce unwanted pregnancies is a shared value. We also believe that narrow ideology should never trump sound science and that it is government's role to make honest impartial decisions that promote the good health of all Americans. WORKING WOMEN SPEAK UP! TAKE THE SURVEY AND WEIGH IN The preliminary results are in - working women are worried about basic economic issues like rising health care costs, the absence of retirement security and the failure of pay to keep up with the cost of living. The 2006 Ask a Working Woman Survey, issued by the AFL-CIO and Working America will remain open for participants through Labor Day, so log on now and weigh in with your views. Over 22,000 working women have taken the survey this summer, citing the rising cost of healthcare of their top concern. Working women work hard -- let's make sure we're heard! UNMARRIED WOMEN VOTERS: WILL THEY COME TO THE POLLS IN 2006?New research from Women's Voices Women's Vote confirms unmarried women remain an important source of votes for Democratic candidates - if they vote! IN 2004, unmarried women turned out in record numbers, and overwhelmingly for progressive candidates, yet they still do not vote in the same numbers as their married counterparts. ALL women's votes are important and your help is needed to ensure their voices are heard. Check out the updated research on unmarried women and inform yourself about the best messengers, messages and methods to convince them that in 2006, there vote can move our country in a New Direction. SO WOMEN VOTERS CARE ABOUT HEALTH CARE, BUT WHY DOESN'T THE REPUBLICAN PARTY?Did you know that one in seven Americans lacks health insurance? We're pretty sure President Bush doesn't know. But America's women who are fighting to keep their families healthy know the reality of America's health care system: Costs are rising and accessibility is shrinking. All while the Republican rubber stamp Congress allowed lobbyists and special interests to write the Medicare prescription drug law which gave a slush fund to the pharmaceutical companies, and prevents the federal government from negotiating cheaper drug prices for seniors, which would actually bring down out of control costs. Health Care Costs Continue To Rise Employer-Sponsored Health Coverage Premiums Have Risen 73% Since 2000. Since 2000, employer-sponsored health coverage premiums have increased by 73%, outpacing overall inflation and increases in worker's wages. [Health Affairs, September, 2005 - October, 2005]
Prescription Drug Prices Skyrocketing. "Retail prescription prices (which reflect both manufacturer price changes for existing drugs and changes in use to newer, higher-priced drugs) increased an average of 8.3% a year from 1994 to 2005 (from an average of $28.67 to $64.86) because of the cost." [KFF, 6/06] One In Seven Americans Lack Health Insurance Nearly 46 Million Americans Are Uninsured-Increasing for the Fourth Year in a Row. The number of Americans lacking health insurance increased by 800,000 last year-and by 6 million since Bush took office in 2001. Today, a total of 45.8 million people are uninsured-roughly one in seven Americans. [U.S. Census Bureau, 8/30/05; Table HI-4] Fewer Than 60 Percent of Employers Offer Health Insurance. Employer-based health insurance, which covers the majority of Americans, has eroded under the Bush Administration. The percentage of Americans covered by employer-based insurance decreased to 59.8 percent in 2004, down from 60.4 percent last year. The total number of Americans with employer-sponsored coverage has fallen by more than 3.6 million since 2000. [U.S. Census Bureau, 8/30/05; Table HI-4] KATRINA AND RITA ONE YEAR LATER: PROMISES MADE, PROMISES BROKEN BY BUSH In the aftermath of the Bush Administration's tragic mishandling of one of the worst natural disasters in our history, President Bush stood in New Orleans and pledged to rebuild the Gulf Coast. He promised to provide all the resources needed to rebuild devastated communities, provide housing for displaced residents, rebuild New Orleans' crippled infrastructure, and enact programs to fight the "deep, persistent poverty in the region." One year later over 70 % of Americans believe the people affected by Hurricane Katrina still have not gotten the help they need, while 56 % said the federal government has not done enough to help the Gulf Coast [Kaiser Family Foundation, August 2006]. The tragic reality is that President Bush has had no plan for the Gulf Coast, just as he has had no plan to address the problems of hard-working Americans and no plan for Iraq. While the failures and incompetence of the Bush Administration's handling of hurricanes Katrina and Rita virtually destroyed Americans' confidence in the ability of this Administration to deal with a crisis and lead the nation, the incredible spirit of the American people - the generosity, acts of courage and heroism, of people coming together, opening their hearts, reaching out to help one another - reminds us that the American people can transcend the Administration's incompetence. In times of crisis, Americans stick together, and we don't leave anyone behind. The DNC Research Department has prepared a comprehensive look at the promises made by the Bush Administration and the promises broken to the American people. Download your copy today and share with your family and neighbors. If a disaster hit your community, could you count on the Bush Administration? Click here for Promises Made, Promises Broken After Katrina. Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA) continues to fight for relief and support for Gulf Coast families. Listen as she gives this week's Democratic Radio Response. DEMOCRATS TAKING THE LEADMORE WOMEN SECURE DEMOCRATIC NOMINATIONS!  Each week we are adding more women candidates to the list of Federal and Statewide Democratic nominees. This week we feature winners in Alaska, Nevada, Oklahoma and Wyoming from our August15th and 22nd primaries and runoffs. Look for a complete list of women Democratic nominees running for Federal and Statewide office in late-September, following the September 28th primaries. * indicates Incumbent, ** pending approval Federal AK - Diane Benson (C-At Large) Statewide IN - Judy Anderson, State Auditor Visit their websites, support their candidacies, and share their stories with your friends and family! DNC WOMEN'S CAUCUS CELEBRATES WOMEN CANDIDATES!The DNC Women's Caucus met at the recent DNC meeting, held in Chicago, IL. Vice Chair Hattie Dorsey opened the floor to hear reports of our numerous women candidates running across the country. As the national news has recently reported, there are significant numbers of women candidates running for office. In fact, Democrats are likely to retake the House because of the large number of strong women in key districts. A mid-cycle report of women democratic nominees was distributed to Women's Caucus members, with a final report to be issued following the last primaries in mid-September. Want a copy of the report? Email womensvote@dnc.org with 'Women Nominees' in the subject line. The entire DNC meeting featured women Democratic leaders - from our candidates who spoke at the General Session, to our Party officers (the majority of which are women!). For more information on Women's issues check out the Women's Section [http://www.womensvotecenter.org] of Democrats.org. And read a synopsis of the Women's Caucus meeting from Chicago on the DNC blog. DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY CALENDAR CHANGES INCREASE DIVERSITYLast week the Democratic National Committee approved new Delegate Selection rules and a presidential nominating calendar that will ensure that Americans of all races and backgrounds have a voice in selecting the Democratic presidential nominee. Nevada will now hold the second caucus and South Carolina the second primary alongside Iowa and New Hampshire. By adding Nevada and South Carolina, the Democratic Party is significantly increasing the early participation of African Americans, Hispanics, Asian Americans, Native Americans and union members, as well as increasing geographic diversity by including states in all regions of the country. Also, by addomg tp exostomg Affirmative Action requirements with a new rule directing states to develop Inclusion Plans for additional traditionally under-represented as convention delegates, the DNC is promoting full participation in the political process by all Americans. A rule adopted in 1980 requires that delegates chosen from each state be equally divided between women and men. By broadening the primary window and expanding participation in the process, we are ensuring the DNC's most important goal of producing the strongest possible presidential nominee who reflects the values and the diversity of our Party and our country. UPCOMING EVENTS: MARCH YOUR CALENDAR!September 22-24: DNC African American Leadership Summit; Detroit, MI  September 28-29: DNC Women's Leadership Forum 13th Annual Issues Conference; Washington, DC September 30 - Oct. 1: DNC Hispanic Leadership Summit; Washington, DC November 7: Election Day | ||||
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Saturday, September 16, 2006
Week in Review
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