NARAL Pro-Choice Colorado Urges Legislators, Governor To Support Common Ground Agenda For Women’s Reproductive Health
TUESDAY, MARCH 7, 2006 Is The Prevention First Challenge For Common Ground Denver – In an effort to reach out to both sides of the aisle and across positions in the debate on abortion, NARAL Pro-Choice Colorado called on legislators and the governor to work together to find a common ground solution to the problem of unintended pregnancy. “Both pro-choice and anti-choice proponents can agree on one thing: we must work together to reduce the number of abortions,” explained Kathryn Wittneben, Executive Director for NARAL Pro-Choice Colorado. Each member of the State House and Senate was presented today with a bag of coffee beans with a message attached that reads, “Help find COMMON GROUND by voting YES on HB 1212: Allow women to access Emergency Contraception in a timely manner and PREVENT unintended pregnancies.” The challenge to the Colorado State Legislature today coincides with efforts from NARAL Pro-Choice America and other state affiliates across the country that are also participating in the Prevention First Challenge for Common Ground. Wittneben stated, “The message and the coffee serve as a reminder that if legislators and the governor are dedicated to preventing unintended pregnancy and reducing the need for abortion, legislation is before the Senate that does just that. HB 1212 improves access to emergency contraception – a safe and effective form of birth control.” “We all want to support the ability of Colorado women to live healthy lives and create healthy families, so we are asking legislators to help women reduce unintended pregnancies,” said Wittneben. “With nearly one million women of child-bearing age in Colorado, providing greater access to emergency contraception is one of the best ways we can help women right now. This back-up form of birth control will lead to fewer abortions, which is one of our goals – to make abortion rare in Colorado. The issue of emergency contraception has become increasingly politicized in our country and state, when in fact, this is an extremely safe, cost-effective way to prevent pregnancy,” continued Wittneben. HB 1212, which will allow women to directly access emergency contraception from their local pharmacist, recently passed out of the House of Representatives. The bill is expected to be in front of a senate committee within the next two weeks. NARAL Pro-Choice Colorado purchased the coffee beans from Common Grounds, a well-known Denver coffeehouse. Common Grounds supports civility in public dialogue but does not endorse or support any particular political activity or legislation.
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