Policy Paper, Coursework Example

Introduction

Successful legislation in the healthcare sector requires an effective understanding of the issues and challenges that prevail in government and politics. Healthcare is particularly controversial in the modern era and under the sitting president; therefore, legislation must be carefully chosen and demonstrate the ability to provide support to many Americans. Contraceptive services have led to much controversy in recent years throughout the United States, and the availability of these services in many communities is a bone of contention for millions of Americans with specific religious and/or cultural preferences. However, contraceptive health coverage is necessary to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases in teens and adults. Many states have explored their options with respect to contraceptive health services, and the federal government has proposed possible forms of legislation that extend beyond current conditions. For example, Senator Barbara Boxer of California introduced S. Res. 60, known as A Resolution Supporting Women’s Reproductive Health, as a means of providing women with access to contraceptive services and other preventative services that support their overall health (Govtrack.us, 2013). This legislation is critical in providing opportunities for women to obtain contraception and preventative services in a manner that encourages greater health and wellbeing for women and their reproductive health (Govtrack.us, 2013).

Analysis

Res. 60 was introduced in 2013 to provide women with improved access to much-needed reproductive health services that have a significant impact on their lives and wellbeing (Women’s Policy, 2013). In today’s society, many women do not possess access to reproductive health services that could reduce the risk of pregnancy, screen for different forms of cancer, and promote other positive outcomes (Women’s Policy, 2013). Therefore, additional measures must be considered that impact this population and provide them with these services without difficulty and challenges by healthcare organizations and community members (Women’s Policy, 2013). Senator Boxer is in support of services that allow women to make their own decisions regarding reproductive health, which continues to be a challenge in many states and communities where religious and cultural rights are under consideration (Boxer, 2013). As a result, it is more important than ever to enact legislation that will encourage healthcare providers to provide comprehensive reproductive services to women to prevent disease and pregnancy, and to allow women to have a greater sense of comfort in regards to their reproductive health and wellbeing (Boxer, 2013). This legislation would take away the right of males and other influences throughout community and government to make decisions on behalf of women and in turn, support women’s independent decision-making and access to reproductive health services (Boxer, 2013).

Senator Boxer also supports the ability of women across all age groups to make positive decisions that will impact their reproductive health, both now and in the future (Jiang, 2013). Boxer’s recent comments regarding the fight of many Republicans to prevent contraceptive and reproductive services for women and to require unnecessary testing prior to having an abortion (Jiang, 2013). These elements have led Boxer to consider this resolution and to fight for the reproductive rights of all women throughout the United States (Jiang, 2013). She is one of several legislators seeking to protect and preserve women’s reproductive health through this resolution and to have a much-needed conversation regarding this topic in public circles in order to challenge the status quo (Center for Reproductive Rights, 2013). Many communities, including Latinas, support this measure because it allows women the freedom to make their own decisions, an opportunity that has been lost in many states due to male-dominated and conservative influences (National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health, 2013). This bill offers women a voice that has often disappeared in many communities as a result of state-mandated regulations and male influences (Connelly, 2013).

Conclusion

S.Res. 60: A resolution supporting women’s reproductive health was introduced by Senator Barbara Boxer of California in 2013 as a means of protecting women and allowing them to make their own reproductive decisions at all times. This resolution is one of Senator Boxer’s methods of expanding opportunities for women to govern their own reproductive health rather than to rely on men to make these decisions. This bill would have a positive impact on millions of women who are at risk of pregnancy, STDs, cancer, and other concerns, Therefore, the bill will support preventative efforts for these conditions, along with the ability to provide much-needed contraception to prevent pregnancy. Currently the bill was referred to a Congressional committee for further review and evaluation, and the chances of passing the bill into law are relatively high (Govtrack.us, 2013). It is important for Senator Boxer to continue her efforts to move this bill forward, as it is more important than ever to explore the options that are available to recognize the reproductive rights of women as early and as frequently as possible and to employ the services of medical professionals in clinics and in doctor’s offices to ensure that women are able to manage their own reproductive care and treatment without complications from outside influences. These efforts are critical to the success of this bill and other future forms of legislation that will have a significant impact on women’s reproductive rights, thereby taking away these decisions from males who do not have any business in these affairs.

References

Boxer, B. (2012). Foul play: war on women is real. Retrieved from http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0412/75143.html

Center for Reproductive Rights (2013). Going on offense. Retrieved from http://reproductiverights.org/en/feature/nancy-northup-martha-plimpton-dc-congress-offense

Connelly, J. (2012). ‘Women on fire’: not-so-gentle words from ‘gentle ladies’ of the U.S. Senate. Retrieved from http://www.seattlepi.com/local/connelly/article/Fired-up-ready-to-go-Five-gentle-ladies-of-3353720.php

Govtrack.us (2013). S. Res. 60: A resolution supporting women’s reproductive health. Retrieved from https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/113/sres60

Jiang, J. (2013). Transcript: Sen. Barbara Boxer’s remarks on the GOP’s CR to repeal women’s preventative care & government shutdown – Sept. 30, 2013. Retrieved from http://www.whatthefolly.com/2013/10/01/transcript-sen-barbara-boxers-remarks-on-the-gops-cr-to-defund-womens-preventive-care-government-shutdown-sept-30-2013/

National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health (2013). Latinas applaud introduction of amendments to improve health of women and families in immigration reform bill. Retrieved from http://latinainstitute.org/media/releases/Latinas-Applaud-Introduction-of-Amendments-to-Improve-Health-of-Women-and-Families-in

Women’s Policy (2013). News. Retrieved from http://www.womenspolicy.org/site/News2?id=11293