___________________

Alexandra Reagan
President

Erica Root
Vice President

Sarah Kerber
Communications Director

Natalie Jocovic
Treasurer

Kelly Rivas
Immediate Past President

Amber Matlbie
General Counsel

___________________

We are a local Democratic Club
dedicated to the principles of
inclusion, equality, and diversity.

September 5, 2014

The Honorable Edmund G. Brown
Governor, State of California
State Capitol First Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814

RE: SB 1053 (Mitchell) Contraceptive Equity Act Request for Signature

Dear Governor Brown,

The Feminist Democrats of Sacramento (Fem Dems) is a local club that promotes the
feminist principles of inclusion, equality, and diversity. We believe in empowering
women by giving them the tools and autonomy they need to make the choices that are
best for them. With these principles in mind, the Fem Dems are pleased to support
Senator Holly Mitchells SB 1053, which would require health insurance plans to
provide coverage for ALL FDA approved contraceptive drugs, devices, and
products.

When the Affordable Care Act was signed into law, it required health plans to cover a
full range of FDA-approved birth control methods. However, lack of clarity in the
law has led to inadequate and inconsistent implementation, allowing carriers to
employ varying medical management techniques and practices that create barriers to
access. These practices include requiring a woman to try a different method before
she can get coverage for her method of choice, wrongfully charging co-pays, and
denials of certain methods. Not only does this deprive women of their reproductive
autonomy, but it increases the risk of unintended pregnancy.

The Fem Dems believe that women, in consultation with their doctors, are capable of
determining what method of birth control works with their bodies and their lifestyle.
Birth control is a basic preventive health service that women and men should be
able to access without delays or cost-sharing.

We are proud to support this important piece of legislation that will further
Californias leadership in preventing unintended pregnancy and expanding access to
birth control for all individuals in California. For the reasons above, I urge you to sign
SB 1053 into law. If you have any questions about our position please feel free to
contact me at (916) 765-4977.

Sincerely,




Erica Root
Vice President, Feminist Democrats of Sacramento

c.c. The Honorable Holly Mitchell, California State Senate