Recently, Del. Robert (Bob) Marshall, (R)- Manassas, pre-filed HB 187 which "prohibits the provision of certain intervening medical technology to unmarried women". The medical technology being that of in vitro fertilization, artificial insemination, embryo transfers and more. This bill seeks to bar unmarried women from becoming pregnant by means other than sexual intercourse. HB187 has been referred to the house committee on health, welfare, and institutions. Also, in committee is Marshall's HB 412. This bill "prohibits the use of unrelated anonymous donor oocyte or sperm in the performance of intervening medical technology that completely or partially replaces sexual intercourse as a means of conception". In addition to these absurd attacks on the rights of Virginian's wishing to become parents, Marshall has once again targeted those who are seeking abortion services. HB 189 calls for licensure of clinics to be like ambulatory centers. The procedure to meet the demands of this legislation are so costly that many clinics would be forced to close. Not only would abortion services be lost, but also other reproductive health care services that these clinics provide for individuals who often have no health insurance to pay for services at a primary care provider's office. HB 237 requires abortion providers to reside and practice in Virginia and have practice privileges at a Virginia hospital. HB 1191 "creates a cause of action for the wrongful death of an pre-born child."
These are only the bills introduced into the House by Del. Marshall. There are many other bills being discussed right now that affect the future of our ability to decide what happens to our bodies in Virginia.
For a complete listing of all the action in the General Assembly go to the Virginia Legislative Information website.
Live music!
February 11th, 2006 at 7 pm
Please join us for a dinner of light hor d'ouerves, crisp mesclun salad served with your choice of dressing, and your choice of entree:
As well as dessert. Wine, beer, and coffee will be available but are not included in the ticket price. Bring extra money for our raffle!
Tickets for the event are $40 for individuals and $60 for pairs. Please R.S.V.P as soon as possible, and let us know if there are any special dietary requirements or other accomodations that you might need. We are accepting cash and checks.
rrfpva@nnaf.org or 804.644.1533
Thanks to everyone who donated to the RRFP during our "Make Change with Change!" fundraiser. Together, we raised $107 to put directly towards funding abortion!
You too can support our work! Donate to the RRFP today!
We all know we keep our change just waiting for something worthwhile to come along to spend it on. It's something most of us have and are just too busy to count. Well we at the RRFP have made it easy for you.
We are having the first ever change fundraiser! We're going to make change with change!
Mark your calendars for the month of October!
We will be counting pennies and any other silver change you pass along to, using it to fund abortions. We will then take another step towards true change by taking pictures of anyone who is feeling a little photogenic, making them into postcards to send to our legislators in Virginia. We want them to know that we are funding abortions with pennies! Details will be sent through e-mail so please make sure you are on our list to get all the info!
Drop-off your change at the following places:
Contact RRFP@riseup.net for more information and to join our e-list!
Along with many other atrocities now occurring in the justice system, the Teen Endangerment Act proves to be one of the right-wing's best kept secrets. This act states that any minor traveling out of their home state can't have an abortion without parental consent and a 24-hour waiting period. The Teen Endangerment Act (H.R. 748; S. 8, 396, 403) will make abortion nearly impossible for the many minors facing unwanted pregnancy to obtain one without parental consent.
In Virginia, minors are at high risk of being negatively affected by this bill, because we live in a state in which parental consent laws are alive and well. The only way in which Virginian minors may receive a legal and safe abortion is to obtain permission and consent from one parent or go through judicial bypass, which we know is a long and hard process. Teens who go through judicial bypass are far more likely to have to continue their pregnancy later then those who don't, which is tricky in Virginia, since many clinics only provide abortions up to fourteen weeks.
This law makes it virtually impossible for a minor unable to tell her parents that she is pregnant to obtain an abortion. There are a variety of reasons why a teen may not want to tell her parents that she is pregnant and has chosen abortion, including abuse and abandonment. To a minor, this can mean life or death. It not only threatens minors, but it also threatens family members, clinicians, doctors, organizations, and others who are willing to help them obtain an abortion by traveling out of state. There is also no abuse or health of the mother clause in this law.
It is vitally important to remember that this is just one more step in the master plan of the Bush Administration to further make abortion unsafe and inaccessible, until finally it is not legal at all. They have already started this with mandatory counseling, waiting periods, partial-birth abortion bans, and parental consent laws. If they can take the right of choice away from minors, who is next?
If you are interested in ways to stop this Act from becoming a law, please contact us for more information by emailing RRFP@riseup.net.