Action Alert! Two Ways to Make an Impact!

Action One: Support Access to Birth Control and Prevent Unintended Pregnancy!

LB 20, Senator Carol Blood’s bill to support barrier-free access to birth control, was amended into LB 100 on the second round of debate by the Legislature. But the vote was really close — it needed 25 votes to pass and it got exactly that (see how your senator voted). The bill has one more round of debate by the full Legislature before it passes and heads to the Governor’s desk.

Please reach out to your state senator today and ask them to support LB 100 (which now includes LB 20). This legislation requires that insurers cover the quantity of contraceptives dispensed in accordance with the prescription—up to 6 months of contraceptives at one time.

  • LB 20 (now part of LB 100) will ensure that health care providers, not insurance companies, determine the duration and supply of birth control provided to their patient.
  • Limited supply of birth control creates increased barriers to preventing pregnancy. Having to refill prescriptions every month or every few months can prove difficult for some—especially those who live long distances from their provider or pharmacy, those who lack dependable transportation and those who work long or unconventional hours. Missing a week or even days of birth control can lead to an unintended pregnancy.
  • Access to birth control allows women to increase their chances of finishing school, find a good job and ultimately, to reach their full potential and achieve economic self-sufficiency.

Resources to make it easy for your to contact your senator today:

Action Two: Support Medically-Accurate and Inclusive Health Standards to Protect All Students’ Well-Being!

Recently, the Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) released a draft of new statewide health education standards, which will provide a framework that supports student’s physical and emotional well-being and academic success. The standards will not be mandatory, allowing the option for districts across the state to implement. The Nebraska Department of Education is led by an elected board, who will ultimately vote on these health standards in the Fall. It is important to contact your state board member to let them know you support inclusive, equitable health education standards.

We, at the Women’s Fund, applaud NDE’s efforts to implement standards and curricula that reflect all students’ identities. This process will help create affirming and protective school environments that are linked to emotional well-being and academic success. We fully support age-appropriate, effective health education that increases positive health outcomes for young people. The proposed standards elevate important protective concepts for our students, including in human growth and development and sexual violence prevention. Read our fact sheet to learn more about why this matters.

Send a direct email to board members today thanking them for engaging in this process and encourage the board to continue on the path of inclusive, science-based and age-appropriate health standards that reflect all students’ identities and support all students’ well-being.