A Letter to our U.S. Congressmen on the Right to Contraception Act

The Right to Contraception Act is a significant piece of current legislation aimed at ensuring access to contraceptive methods for all individuals, protecting their ability to make autonomous decisions about their reproductive health. This act reaffirms the legal right to obtain and use contraception, a right that has been recognized by the Supreme Court since the landmark Griswold v. Connecticut decision in 1965. By codifying this right into federal law, the act seeks to eliminate barriers that individuals, particularly women and marginalized communities, face when accessing contraceptive services.

In addition to safeguarding access, the Right to Contraception Act addresses the economic and social barriers that often impede individuals from obtaining contraception. It mandates comprehensive insurance coverage for contraceptive methods and education without out-of-pocket costs, ensuring that financial constraints do not hinder access to essential reproductive healthcare. By promoting equitable access, the act aims to reduce unintended pregnancies, support reproductive autonomy, and contribute to broader public health goals.

This legislation represents a crucial step toward advancing reproductive rights and ensuring that all individuals can exercise control over their reproductive futures, but our elected officials need to hear from us directly. Engaging with our Senators and Representative is a crucial way that North Dakotans can ensure our voices are heard on important issues such as this bill.

As of June 2nd, 2024, the Right to Contraception act is currently referred to the Subcomittee on Health, but that doesn’t mean we can’t reach out to our North Dakota State Representatives and Senators encouraging them to pass this bill.

For more information about the Right to Contraception Act, visit: https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/4121

The Minot Women’s Network has drafted an e-mail template that you can use to contact Senators Hoeven, Cramer, and Representative Armstrong:

Dear [Name]

I am writing as your constituent to urge you to support the Right to Contraception Act. As Senator Chuck Schumer plans to fast-track this crucial bill, it is imperative that we ensure its passage to protect access to birth control nationwide.

Access to contraception is a fundamental right, essential for personal freedom and public health. Birth control is more than about providing individuals with the ability and the support to choose their own futures on their own terms – the liberty that is so crucial to our Constitution – but it is also a crucial medication that can be used to treat many conditions, including PMS symptoms, acne, bone thinning, cysts, endometriosis, anemia, PCOS, and other conditions.

With increasing attacks on reproductive rights, it is critical that we act now to codify these protections at the federal level. Women in North Dakota know that it was never just about abortion, and now other states are proving that our access to other forms of reproductive care are at risk, such as contraception, IVF and fertility treatments, resources for comprehensive education on reproductive and sexual health for both schools and parents, and access to quality, timely, and affordable care for all women in North Dakota.

Please vote in favor of the Right to Contraception Act and stand up for the rights and health of your constituents.

Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter.

Sincerely,

Your Name

To contact Senator John Hoeven: You can send Senator Cramer an email via his official website: Contact Senator Hoeven
To contact Senator Kevin Cramer: You can send Senator Cramer an email via his official website: Contact Senator Cramer
To contact Representative Kelly Armstrong: You can send Representative Armstrong an email via his official website: Contact Representative Armstrong

We encourage everyone to reach out to our representatives in Congress and urge them to consider the passing of this bill.

For any questions or support, please contact us at info@minotwomensnetwork.org

Kali Bauer

Kali Bauer (she/her/hers) is the Executive Coordinator at the Minot Women's Network. Outside of her work in reproductive rights advocacy, she is a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community, a fierce advocate for mental health awareness, and pet mom to three cats, a dog, and a bearded dragon.