Your AP(Eye) on the Hill: Charlottesville Actions and Reproductive Health Access
Published: August 18, 2017

AP(Eye) on the Hill is our weekly highlight of significant federal updates, particularly those that impact AAPI communities regarding reproductive, immigration, and economic justice. Learn about NAPAWF’s and other national AAPI groups’ federal policy work while you’re out on the ground!


Policy Recap:

  • NAPAWF condemns Trump’s response to White Supremacy and acts of Domestic Violence

  • Oregon expands coverage on abortion and other reproductive services  

  • Texas limits access to abortion with House Bill 214

  • Department of Justice to provide incarcerated women with pads, tampons, and panty liners  


NAPAWF condemns Trump’s response to White Supremacy and acts of Domestic Violence

Source: http://blog.angryasianman.com/2017/05/read-these-blogs_28.html

President Trump failed to denounce the white supremacists who committed violent acts of terrorism in Charlottesville over the weekend, instead stating multiple times that “there is blame on both sides”. Trump proceeded to defend the white supremacists while criticizing the “alt-left”, who he claimed were “very, very violent”.

NAPAWF will not stay silent as white supremacists threaten our communities. We will do what the President has not and call them out. Asian American and Pacific Islander women have a long history of standing in solidarity with minority communities against hatred and bigotry and we will continue to do so. We’ve chosen our side.

We’ve partnered with Indivisible to help you find an event in your community to stand against racism, antisemitism, and hatred. Click here to stand up with us!


Oregon expands coverage on abortion and other reproductive services  

Source: http://everydayfeminism.com/2014/04/problems-keep-abortion-rare/

On Tuesday, Oregon Gov. Kate Brown signed into law what is being called “America's most progressive reproductive health policy”. The law will expand access to abortion and other reproductive health services,  regardless of income, citizenship status or gender identity. This policy was passed as a reaction to attempts by Republicans in Congress to repeal the Affordable Care Act.

  • Read more about Oregon’s groundbreaking new law here.

  • For more on reproductive rights and access, go here.

  • To learn about restrictive sex and race selective abortion bans that have been proposed in other states and federally, click here.


Texas limits access to abortion with House Bill 214

Source: Madlin Mekelburg/twitter.com/madlinbmek

Also on Tuesday, Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas signed into law House Bill 214. This bill prohibits insurance providers in the state from covering abortion procedures. For a woman to get an abortion, she would have to purchase a supplemental plan. This law has no exceptions for fetal abnormalities or for women who are victims of rape or incest.  This law will make it even harder for women in Texas to have access to abortion services.

  • For more information on HB 214, click here.

  • To learn more about AAPI health care access, click here.


Department of Justice to provide incarcerated women with pads, tampons, and panty liners  

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/24/well/live/period-activists-want-tampon-makers-to-disclose-ingredients.html

A new policy from the Department of Justice requires the Federal Bureau of Prisons to provide incarcerated women with free pads, tampons, and panty liners. Providing these essential products is an important step towards restoring dignity for women who are incarcerated. Earlier this year, Rep. Grace Meng had introduced the Menstrual Equity for All Act of 2017 (H.R. 972) which had asked for greater access to menstrual products for all women.

  • To read Rep. Meng’s statement on this win, click here.

  • For more background on the issue, read this and this.



Keep an eye out for…