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Abstract #155086
Audio (mp3) recordingJessica Gonzalez-Rojas, MPA, Department of Policy and Advocacy, National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health, 50 Broad Street, Suite 1825, New York, NY 10004, 212-422-2553, jessica@latinainstitute.org
Universal healthcare has reemerged as a priority on the national agenda and many states have implemented local initiatives. These initiatives have compelled health care advocates to examine the forthcoming challenges that will arise with the inclusion or exclusion of comprehensive reproductive health services, particularly when negotiating with the powerful interests of religiously-sponsored health systems. In addition, discourse surrounding universal health care has questioned whether or not to include immigrants, raising apprehension around documentation status. In working towards a true universal healthcare model, advocates must seek to include reproductive justice as an essential part of that model. “Reproductive justice” insists that everyone, regardless of race, age, ability, national origin, socio-economic status, religious affiliation, sexuality, or gender identity/expression, has equal rights and access to reproductive health services, and to make informed decisions about whether or not to have children. This includes documented and undocumented immigrants. This is seen as a fundamental human right of an individual to determine their own reproductive destiny and includes the right to timely and appropriate health care, culturally competent and linguistically appropriate health care, and access to the full range of reproductive technology. This panel will describe a vision of health care that meets the needs of diverse women and I will specifically address how advocacy towards universal healthcare can expand and strengthen the movement for reproductive justice and immigrant rights. Challenges and opportunities for women's health advocates will be discussed, as well its impact on strategic coalition building.
Learning Objectives:
- Participants will learn about the challenges and opportunities that arise from the growing number of universal health care initiatives from the perspective of women’s health care advocates. They will understand the multiple dimensions of the reproductive justice framework and its significance to ensure that universal healthcare is truly “universal” for all women.
Keywords: Universal Health Care, Reproductive Health
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Any relevant financial relationships? No
Any institutionally-contracted trials related to this submission?
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.
The 135th APHA Annual Meeting & Exposition (November 3-7, 2007) of APHA