Zara Ahmed, DrPH😷 Profile picture
Apr 14, 2020 12 tweets 6 min read Read on X
Last week, colleagues @Guttmacher and I put forward 9 key actions that #Congress should take to support sexual and reproductive rights during the #COVID19Pandemic. As they work on a fourth relief package, here's a reminder of what they should do:
guttmacher.org/article/2020/0…
1) Treat sexual and reproductive health care as the essential care it is. This includes ensuring that patients may continue to travel for reproductive health care even under any measures that restrict most commerce and travel. More on that here:
guttmacher.org/article/2020/0…
2) Protect and expand access to comprehensive health insurance coverage, including by supporting Medicaid and expanding ACA marketplace coverage:

guttmacher.org/gpr/2019/02/pr…
3) Bolster support for family planning providers in the US & globally by⬆️funding for the #TitleX national family planning program & U.S. global reproductive health assistance. It also means passing the #GlobalHer Act to repeal the #GlobalGagRule.
guttmacher.org/article/2019/0…
4) Protect and expand access to timely abortion care. To do this, Congress should pass the Women's Health Protection Act and eliminate discriminatory restrictions on insurance coverage of abortion, such as the #HydeAmendment. #BeBoldEndHyde
guttmacher.org/article/2019/0…
5) Promote safe maternal and newborn care. This includes
appropriating additional $ to scale up programs for safe pregnancy, delivery & postpartum care both in the US & overseas and passing the Black Maternal Health Momnibus.
…ernalhealthcaucus-underwood.house.gov/Momnibus
6) Protect the pharmaceutical supply chain. Congress must include contraceptive drugs & devices, condoms, drugs used for medication abortion, antibiotics for treating STIs, HIV medication, vaccines for HPV, and other products are in any efforts to bolster the US supply drug.
7) Support #telehealth for reproductive health services & providers. Congress must mobilize resources for telehealth systems, including for reproductive health, & push states to eliminate unnecessary barriers use of telehealth services, inc. under Medicaid
guttmacher.org/gpr/2019/05/im…
8) Prevent religious orgs from denying essential care & discriminating against patients. Congress must prevent the #Trump administration from enforcing regulations that put religious & moral refusals above patients’ rights & should pass the Do No Harm Act.
guttmacher.org/gpr/2019/10/tr…
9) Secure the rights of people and communities at heightened risk. In addition to all of the challenges above, many groups of people face a range of severe social, economic, physical and political barriers to health services, often imposed purposefully by the Trump administration
9 cont) To do this, Congress should pass the Support #UNFPA Funding Act, expand immigrants’ access to health insurance coverage, and bar the Trump administration from enforcing its harmful “public charge” rule, among other actions.

guttmacher.org/article/2019/1…
It's clear that reproductive health care is especially vulnerable to the problems posed the COVID-19 pandemic & is being singled out & attacked during this crisis. Congress must enact strong protections for sexual & reproductive health & rights, which are more critical than ever.

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More from @ZarainDC

Sep 23, 2020
Did you hear today's episode of #TheDaily from @nytimes with Marjorie Dannenfelser and feel 🤯 listening to all the anti-choice nonsense? If so, here's the real deal on abortion in the US and why this essential health service needs to be protected. (1/x)
guttmacher.org/united-states/…
First, let's be clear that abortion patients are largely people like Ms. Dannenfelser: white, hetero, religiously affiliated, and who already have a child. Abortion is an experience shared by 1 in 4 American women, across demographic lines. (2/x) guttmacher.org/united-states/… Image
Second, abortion is a safe, effective procedure needed by many women, even those using contraception.
-18% of pregnancies in 2017 ended in abortion
-51% of abortion patients were using a contraceptive method in the month they became pregnant. (3/x)
guttmacher.org/fact-sheet/ind…
Read 14 tweets
Sep 19, 2020
It was a beautiful, sunny day in DC, with #RBG smiling down on the crowds at #SCOTUS celebrating her life. ImageImageImageImage
Even if you couldn’t be there in person, know that you were there in spirit, through the heartfelt words and thanks of others. #RBGRevolution ImageImageImageImage
For some, this was also a moment for politics and humor. ImageImageImageImage
Read 5 tweets
Aug 20, 2020
“I never expected that my successor would embrace my vision or continue my policies. I did hope, for the sake of our country, that Donald Trump might show some interest in taking the job seriously. But he never did.” @BarackObama speaks the truth. #DemConvention Image
"And the consequences of that failure are severe: 170,000 Americans dead. Millions of jobs gone. Our worst impulses unleashed, our proud reputation around the world badly diminished, and our democratic institutions threatened like never before.” #Obama on #Covid_19 and more
“Over eight years, Joe was the last one in the room whenever I faced a big decision. He made me a better president. He’s got the character and the experience to make us a better country.”

We're ready for it, @BarackObama. #DNCConvention #DemocraticConvention Image
Read 4 tweets
Aug 19, 2020
Rollcall! What a treat to see a little bit of the beauty of America. #DemConvention ImageImageImageImage
This is how every convention #RollCall should go from now on--we get policy, personal stories, nature, fun facts, travel inspiration, and enthusiastic voting. I love it. #DemConvention Image
An Emmy for the team that put together this #RollCall series for the #DemConvention. Perfectly chosen locations and representation, showcasing both the natural beauty of the country and it's real strength--the diversity and character of its people. ImageImageImageImage
Read 4 tweets
Jul 13, 2020
I'm incredibly proud of my colleagues at #CDC for raising up the issue of racial inequality, both inside and beyond the agency. Having spent 10 years at CDC, I can definitively say that the challenge of racism at the agency is real and that it's past time that it's addressed.
There are scores of brilliant, talented, creative people of color (especially women of color) at #CDC but they are often unable to move up due to biased hiring. Too often, I saw people hire people who look like them, which has manifested in homogeneity in leadership. Image
People of color, particularly if they are Black, are disproportionately in administrative & support jobs, even if they have the qualifications for more technical jobs. As the employee letter notes, only 6% of CDC's Epidemic Intelligence Service is Black.
cdc.gov/eis/who-we-are…
Read 6 tweets
Jul 4, 2020
If you're looking for a reminder of who America is this #FourthofJuly, I highly recommend @PadmaLakshmi's show Taste the Nation. The thoughtful, loving profiles of 10 communities, from the Gullah Geechee to Native Americans to Mexicans, reflect our true strength--our diversity.
Not only does it cover the history of #immigration, both by choice and against one's will, it explores #ClimateChange, the challenges of being bi/multiracial, manifestations of racism, and more, all through the lens of food.
And of course, the food looks amazing. (Side note: someone should make a compilation of Padma's "oh my god" reaction shots.) The episode on the struggles of Thai women of Las Vegas had me crying and drooling at the same time.
Read 4 tweets

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