Bill Text: AZ SR1002 | 2012 | Fiftieth Legislature 2nd Regular | Introduced
Bill Title: Reproductive rights awareness week
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 18-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2012-01-24 - Referred to Senate HMLR Committee [SR1002 Detail]
Download: Arizona-2012-SR1002-Introduced.html
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REFERENCE TITLE: reproductive rights awareness week |
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State of Arizona Senate Fiftieth Legislature Second Regular Session 2012
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SR 1002 |
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Introduced by Senators Lopez, Aboud, Cajero Bedford, Gallardo, Lujan, Meza, Schapira; Representatives Farley, Gallego, Hobbs: Senators Jackson, Landrum Taylor; Representatives Arredondo, Campbell, Gonzales, Meyer, Pancrazi, Tovar
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A RESOLUTION
proclaiming the week of january 22, 2012 as reproductive rights awareness week in arizona.
(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)
Whereas, women comprise more than half of the population of the United States of America and are solely responsible for childbearing; and
Whereas, women who plan their pregnancies are more likely to seek prenatal care, improving their own health and the health of their children; and
Whereas, the United States ranks thirtieth in the world in its rate of maternal mortality and has one of the highest rates of maternal mortality among all developed nations; and
Whereas, family planning services improve health care outcomes and wellness for women and families; and
Whereas, access to family planning is directly linked to declines in maternal and infant mortality rates; and
Whereas, women who do not receive prenatal care are three to four times more likely to die after a live birth than are women who have received even minimal prenatal care; and
Whereas, contraception enables women to better prevent unintended pregnancies and plan for pregnancy when they do want to have a child, and publicly funded contraceptive services and supplies prevent nearly two million unintended pregnancies each year in the United States; and
Whereas, nearly half of all unintended pregnancies end in abortion, and abortion rates in the United States increase during times when contraception is less accessible to low income women; and
Whereas, the United States has one of the highest rates of unintended pregnancy among the world's developed nations. Half of all the pregnancies in the United States are unintended, and half of unintended pregnancies occur in women who are not using contraceptives; and
Whereas, in addition to the primary purpose of allowing women to plan and prepare for pregnancy, other health benefits of contraception include reduced risk of endometrial and ovarian cancers, ectopic pregnancy, iron deficiency anemia related to heavy menstruation, osteoporosis, ovarian cysts and pelvic inflammatory disease; and
Whereas, racial and ethnic health disparities are particularly pronounced in reproductive health, including disparities in rates of contraception usage, unintended pregnancies, maternal mortality and sexually transmitted infections. These disparities reveal significant barriers to access to medical care, medically accurate sexuality education and sexual health care, including contraception; and
Whereas, a majority of American voters believe that matters related to women's reproductive rights, including contraception and abortion, are personal issues that should be decided by women with their families, health care providers and clergy members.
Therefore
Be it resolved by the Senate of the State of Arizona:
That the Members of the Senate proclaim the week of January 22, 2012 as Reproductive Rights Awareness Week in Arizona and encourage public awareness, conversation and support for reproductive rights and justice in this state and nationwide.
