President-Elect Obama Must Repeal Harmful HHS Rule

For Immediate Release: December 18, 2008 Contact: Adrienne Ammerman or Ranit Schmelzer, 202-588-5180

Statement of Marcia D. Greenberger of NWLC: President-elect Obama Must Repeal Harmful HHS Rule

(Washington, DC) The following is a statement by Marcia D. Greenberger, Co-President of the National Women's Law Center, calling on President-elect Obama to repeal the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) rule that poses a serious threat to women's health.

"The Bush Administration has recklessly and callously finalized a regulation that undermines patients' access to vital health care services and information, and poses great risks to women's health and lives.

"This action comes despite an outpouring of public opposition to the rule, as well as calls for its withdrawal from a broad range of organizations and associations, including the American Medical Association, the National Association of Community Health Centers, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Nurses Association, and many others.

"The National Women's Law Center will not rest until this rule is withdrawn. We call on President-elect Obama to adopt health care policies that meet the needs of women and their families and to immediately reject this harmful rule upon assuming office."

NWLC's detailed analysis of the final rule is forthcoming.