National Partnership for Women & Families

Blog Archive

From the desk of ... Debra L. Ness

Birth Control Under Attack

November 22, 2011 | Reproductive Health
Anti-choice extremists are trying to undermine women's right to birth control under the Affordable Care Act.

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From the desk of ... Debra L. Ness

Gaps in Access to Paid Leave are Significant, Sustained - and Unacceptable

November 15, 2011 | Work and Family
The Census Bureau released a report last week that every family and every lawmaker should note.

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From the desk of ... Debra L. Ness

Getting Back on Track with Family Friendly Policies

October 31, 2011 | Work and Family
As National Work and Family Month drew to a close this time last year, working families were hopeful that the upcoming election would mean that the economy would turn around, families would regain control of their finances and economic security, and the country would finally get back on track after a crippling recession.

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From the desk of ... Debra L. Ness

Welcome Progress, But the Final Verdict on ACOs Is Yet to Come

October 28, 2011 | Health Care
Last week, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) may have done what once seemed impossible. Its final rule on Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) seems to have put an end to the rancor and bitter debate on this particular issue, shaping a framework that just about all parties can accept.

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From the desk of ... Debra L. Ness

Realizing the Full Potential of Health Reform

October 11, 2011 | Health Care | Health Care > Quality Care Now
When it passed, we recognized the Affordable Care Act (ACA) as the greatest advance for women's health in a generation.

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From the desk of ... Debra L. Ness

On the Right Track: Institute of Medicine's Essential Benefits Report

October 7, 2011 | Health Care | Reproductive Health
America's women and families want and need confidence that when they buy health insurance, it will cover comprehensive benefits that meet their needs. Thanks to health reform, we may soon get that.

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From the desk of ... Debra L. Ness

America's Working Parents Deserve Paid Leave - Take Action Today!

September 26, 2011 | Work and Family
The arrival of a new child should be a time of pure celebration. Sadly, for millions of working parents without paid leave in this country, the joyous occasion can be short-lived.

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From the desk of ... Debra L. Ness

Fair Pay: What a Difference a Union Makes

September 2, 2011 | Workplace Fairness
On Monday, the country will celebrate Labor Day - a national holiday established to honor the strength of America's workers and its unions. All workers who are in unions benefit from higher wages, better benefits, retirement security and more - but the union difference for today's women is especially striking, particularly when it comes to fair pay.

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From the desk of ... Debra L. Ness

Keeping the Dream of Full Equality Alive

August 26, 2011 | Workplace Fairness
It's Women's Equality Day - a commemoration of the 19th Amendment and women's steady march toward equality, a tribute to how far we have come, and a reminder of the work still to do.

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From the desk of ... Debra L. Ness

Crisis Averted. Now What?

August 2, 2011 | Health Care
The deal is done. Both chambers of Congress have now voted, and President Obama has signed an unprecedented bill into law to avert the immediate catastrophe of a government default. But the country will be living with the consequences of this deal for decades to come.

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From the desk of ... Debra L. Ness, Repro Health Watch

In Science v. Politics, Science Scores a Win

July 21, 2011 | Health Care | Reproductive Health
A milestone for women's health is finally within reach: On Tuesday, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) identified the full range of FDA-approved contraception and birth control options as preventive health services - and recommended that they be made available to women without additional fees or co-payment under health care reform.

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From the desk of ... Debra L. Ness

Connecticut Makes History

June 4, 2011 | Work and Family
Today is a great day for workers in Connecticut, and a day that offers hope to tens of millions of workers throughout the country who cannot now earn paid sick time, no matter how long they hold a job or how solid their work record is. After an impressive campaign, steady political leadership and strong advocacy from supporters in the state, Connecticut's General Assembly has passed the first statewide paid sick days law.

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From the desk of ... Debra L. Ness

Seniors in America Today: "Not a Pretty Picture"

May 12, 2011 | Health Care | Health Care > Campaign for Better Care

Earlier this week, I was privileged to be a part of Volunteers of America's third annual discussion on aging issues. I was on a panel with Arianna Huffington, Huffington Post co-founder and editor-in-chief; Mike King, National President and CEO of Volunteers of America, Inc.; and Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez, AARP Executive Vice President of Multicultural Markets and Engagement. Our topic: How our nation's public policies affect older Americans, especially women.

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From the desk of ... Debra L. Ness, Repro Health Watch

Relentless. Deceptive. Dangerous.

May 5, 2011 | Health Care | Reproductive Health
The ""war on women"" in the House of Representatives rages on.

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From the desk of ... Debra L. Ness

When Women Do Better, Families Do Better and the Nation Can Thrive

April 12, 2011 | Workplace Fairness
President Obama hit the mark during his recent Women's History Month address on fair pay when he said that "achieving equal pay for equal work isn't just a women's issue. It's a family issue." At the National Partnership, we've been saying the same thing for decades: when women do better, families do better. It couldn't be more true.

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From the desk of ... Debra L. Ness, Repro Health Watch

Just When You Think You've Seen It All

February 28, 2011 | Reproductive Health | Health Care
Sometimes I think there's not much that can surprise me. But last week proved that theory wrong: the U.S. House of Representatives voted to prohibit federal funds for health care services provided by Planned Parenthood, and eliminate funding for all Title X family planning services, which are the sole source of health care for millions of low-income and uninsured women in this nation.

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From the desk of ... Debra L. Ness, Repro Health Watch

Time to Protect Common Sense.

January 22, 2011 | Health Care | Reproductive Health

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From the desk of ... Debra L. Ness

Shame on Them!

January 20, 2011 | Health Care
For decades, women and families have been penalized by punitive and predatory insurance practices that have restricted their access to quality, affordable care. But the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is changing that. It is the greatest advance for women's health in a generation.

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From the desk of ... Debra L. Ness

Final Hour for Fair Pay?!

November 15, 2010 | Workplace Fairness
Today, the Senate returns to Washington --- and the Paycheck Fairness Act is one of the first bills on its agenda. Passing the Paycheck Fairness Act is more important than ever.

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From the desk of ... Debra L. Ness

Success is Inevitable

November 9, 2010 | Work and Family

Today's working families are juggling 'Ozzie and Harriet' policies in a web 2.0 world, and it's simply not sustainable. Workers are struggling to care for their families while both parents hold jobs. Families are straining to meet increasing child- and eldercare responsibilities. Parents have little savings to fall back on, and few jobs - and even fewer good jobs - to apply for, should they lose the jobs they have.

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