I am writing in concern of the precedents that are being set to regulate women’s anatomy. The unheard-of margin by which H.R.7 passed in the House on the anniversary of Roe v. Wade indicates a bleaker future for women everywhere, and I mean for this to be a call to action.

H.R.7, the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act, will cut all federal funding and subsidies for clinics that offer abortions. In addition, any insurance plan that receives a federal subsidy, such as plans offered through the marketplace, will be forced to end coverage of abortion. Three Democrats —all men— joined Republicans in voting for the bill.

As an 18-year-old, I would be remiss to not inform you of the caution I harbor for entering the current state of American society in which the institutional resort is to not trust women in cases of rape, incest or domestic violence. We are not even allowed to make our own decisions about our reproductive health without being significantly burdened by harmful and factually incorrect counseling, societally inherent shame, the rising costs of abortion procedures and the diminishing access to centers that provide these procedures. H.R.7 is a big step in the wrong direction. We are making life harder for women.

Changes are necessary to protect the American woman’s right to choose. I am demanding of my senators that H.R.7 not pass in Senate. Furthermore, I demand of my constituents that we work together to hold our representatives accountable for their votes.

Madison Crissey Cook

Belfast

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