For Immediate ReleaseThe White House has announced a proposed rule that expands the religious exemption to the federal requirement that health insurance plans include birth control coverage. The rule is open for public comment until December 5, 2017.STATEMENT BY YWCA USA CEO Alejandra Y. Castillo"This is yet another shameful attempt by the Trump administration to deny women access to a full range of reproductive health care services and is part of a larger erosion of the rights of women. Improved access to birth control has empowered women, especially those of color, to have more control over their reproductive health and personal decisions regarding if and when to have children. But this rule will allow any employer, school, or insurance provider, to opt out of providing contraceptive coverage for religious or moral reasons with no regard for the beliefs, needs or health of the woman. It will roll back the rights of women and threaten the health and safety of many who cannot afford to pay out of pocket for health services excluded from coverage. Access to the full range of reproductive health services—including access to contraception—is critical for women's overall health and must be protected."About YWCA USAYWCA USA is on a mission to eliminate racism, empower women, stand up for social justice, help families, and strengthen communities. We are one of the oldest and largest women's organizations in the nation, serving over 2 million women, girls, and their families.YWCA has been at the forefront of the most pressing social movements for more than 150 years — from voting rights to civil rights, from affordable housing to pay equity, from violence prevention to health care reform. Today, we combine programming and advocacy in order to generate institutional change in three key areas: racial justice and civil rights, empowerment and economic advancement of women and girls, and health and safety of women and girls.

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