Emily Curran POLS 155
May 2, 2018 TA: Victoria Padilla
Section 16
Town Hall Meeting Assignment #6
Policy Memo and Action Plan
Policy Background
a. The Reproductive Health policy is in competition with other health resources for resources and funding. Without funding for Reproductive Health, many women will go without maternal resources, and undiagnosed/untreated for illnesses such as tuberculosis, HIV, certain types of cancer, and many other sexually transmitted diseases. While government is making it more difficult for women to have an abortion, they are creating a new problem. Women who depend on government subsidized reproductive health care will not receive it; even when no abortion is involved. One solution that would impact and improve today’s state laws on reproductive rights would be the passing of the Women’s Health Protection Act which was introduced to the Senate on March 3rd, 2017. This is a congressional bill that is designed to override the anti-abortion laws to provide women with the legal right to safe and sterile abortion opportunities. The problem for pro-choice advocates, is that a federal policy change can take place to the detriment of women’s health. An example of this was in April 18, 2007 when the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the federal law banning abortion procedures known as the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act.
b. Most reproductive health right laws are based at a state level. Although these laws vary state by state, the most effective solution to this policy problem in my opinion would need to be passed by the federal government.
c. One argument for my proposed policy solution is that if women aren’t given access reproductive healthcare, it will result in an increase in undiagnosed and untreated illnesses. Women will be more susceptible to further health risks if not treated for sexually transmitted diseases, and may not even be able the accessibility to certain affordable cancer treatments. Another argument for is that it is the right of each woman to choose their own reproductive health path. Women who find themselves pregnant may not be ready financially, emotionally, mentally, or physically to be a responsible parent for a child. If a woman is not ready to have a child, she should not be forced into making a decision as to whether to keep or place the child for adoption. A woman without rights to her own body is a woman who will constantly
face mental, emotional, and physical challenges.
d. An argument against my proposed policy solution could be that one of the main reasons behind the opposition of reproductive healthcare is funding. Because treatments for procedures, prescriptions, tests, and more are so expensive, the government is extremely hesitant to fund organizations that offer affordable services. Another argument against it would be the fact that most individuals who are pro-life advocates have beliefs which are religiously based. Their stance being, each life begins at conception. Even pregnancies bore from incest or rape should not be terminated.
B. What Has Happened?
– On January 13, 2017, Representative Christopher H. Smith brought a bill to the
house regarding the prohibition of federally funded abortions. This bill was introduced, and so far, passed/ was agreed to in the House on January 24, 2017. On January 30th, 2017, the bill was received in the senate and was read twice before being sent to the Committee on Finance.
– The Department of Health and Human Services is responsible for the reproductive healthcare policy area. It is claimed that this department has the goal of fulfilling women’s health needs and improving their health over all. There are many directors of this department such as Nicole Greene, Jennifer Anne Bishop, Beth A. Collins, and Adrienne Smith.
– According to Legislative Attorney, John O. Shimaburkuro, the latest actions that have been taken into the legislature were by Marsha Blackburn was on December 21, 2017. Marsha Blackburn resurfaced the germaine, or relevant, Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act to the House which was later passed on January 19, 2018.
– Interest groups are constantly fighting for the reproductive healthcare rights of men and women throughout the nation. There are many recent protests and marches for women’s rights across the country today.
C. How Can I Continue This Work? Action Plan.
a. There are many ways I can take matters into my own hands by voicing my
perspective and educating others on what the government (both federal and state) are doing about my policy problem. One method is to reach out via social media. Everyone seems to be surrounded and indulged by technology today in one way or another. Social media can be an outlet to promote others to speak their mind of their opinions, and to bring those who have the same beliefs together. I can use trending hashtags, organize social events and promote them via social media, and I can scout out those who are famous and have the same beliefs for an “echo effect”. Another way I can continue this work is by writing a letter to an editor of a public press. My audience would clearly be those reading the article. I would keep the audience intrigued in my opinionated article by keeping it short enough to get my point across quickly, yet factual enough to keep the readers wanting to know more. The last method to keeping my plan going is by organizing events/public demonstrations. I would first advertise my event most likely through flyers and social media. I would go in strong with my knowledge and facts on this policy topic so the event goes as smooth as possible. Finally, I would target people who are against my policy topic so I can provide them with facts they may have not known before, and to avoid the acts of selective exposure. I feel as if only promoting information that agree with my beliefs causes a biases thus leading to the intolerance of those who believe differently than myself.
b. One main obstacle that gets in my way of being able to make a change is the lack of free time I have. I am a full time student who works a minimum of five days a week, and time is no object for me. This poses a serious problem because it limits my time for planning, organization, and events that need tremendous time and effort in order for them to be successful. To overcome this I could have a planner specifically for organizing events involving the education on my policy topic. I could take my planning step by step so the events can succeed. Another main obstacle is my age. I am nineteen (almost twenty if anyone is counting), and people tend to find it difficult to take younger females seriously. This is a serious issue because with the amount of ageist and sexist people out there, there is not much for me to do. The most I can do to overcome this obstacle is to prove with pride that age does not define my knowledge nor my awareness on such an important policy problem
D. I have learned many things from the process of getting to know my policy topic
throughout this semester. I have learned about the powers congress has in making laws, and how much power the House and Senate have in passing them. I have also learned that a bill can be vetoed, and that most of them “die” at the committee level. I have learned how important voting is, and that voting at congressional elections for those with the same views as you can benefit the actions of change you desire. I can not begin to explain all that I have learned about reproductive health rights as a whole, as I can go on for days. I have also learned that having a personal opinion on policies is what makes up this country, and being quiet about my opinion will only keep the policies from going in the direction that I desire. I learned that speaking my mind and influencing others to do the same is what will make a difference in who is elected, and the actions taken within both the state and national government.