The Acts of Convention

House of Bishops

The House of Bishops Committee on Social Justice and United States Policy presented its Report #12 on Resolution D032 (Equal Access to Health Care Regardless of Gender) and moved adoption with amendment.

Original Text of Resolution:

(D032)

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That the 79th General Convention of The Episcopal Church acknowledge the need for universal and equitable access to good quality health care that allows for equal utilization for those with equal need; and be it further

Resolved, That this Convention acknowledge that the United States must acknowledge that equitable access to women’s health care, including women’s reproductive health care, is an integral part of a woman’s struggle to assert her dignity and worth as a human being; and be it further

Resolved, That The Episcopal Church recognize that women’s reproductive health and reproductive health procedures should be treated as all other medical procedures, and not singled out by gender; and be it further

Resolved, That The Episcopal Church support health care that takes into account the specific health care needs of all persons, including women and transgendered persons; and be it further

Resolved, That this Convention direct the Office of Government Relations and the Episcopal Public Policy Network to urge all Episcopalians to advocate for our government to work to address the specific needs of health care for everyone, especially women and girl’s health care, by:

• Supporting legislation that creates equal utilization of health care for those in equal need, regardless of ability to pay and reject reasons for unequal use;
• Advocating for everyone to have the right to make decisions about their bodies and those decisions should be between themselves and their provider;
• Ensuring equal access to every health care service regardless of gender;
• Ensuring health care is equal in coverage and cost regardless of gender.

Committee Amendment:

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That the 79th General Convention of The Episcopal Church acknowledge the need for universal and equitable access to good quality health care that allows for equal utilization for those with equal need; and be it further

Resolved, That this Convention acknowledge that the United States must acknowledge that equitable access to women’s health care, including women’s reproductive health care, is an integral part of a woman’s struggle to assert her dignity and worth as a human being; and be it further

Resolved, That The Episcopal Church call for recognize that women’s reproductive health and reproductive health procedures should to be treated as all other medical procedures, and not singled out or omitted by or because of gender; and be it further

Resolved, That The Episcopal Church support health care that takes into account the specific health care needs of all persons, including women and transgendered persons; and be it further

Resolved, That this Convention direct the Office of Government Relations and the Episcopal Public Policy Network to urge all Episcopalians to advocate for our government to work to address the specific needs of health care for everyone, especially women’s and girl’s girls’ health care, by:

• Supporting legislation that creates equal utilization of health care for those in equal need, regardless of ability to pay, and reject reasons for unequal use as well as strategies that promote unequal access to health care;
• Advocating for everyone to have the right to make decisions about their bodies and those decisions should be between themselves and their provider (reaffirming 1994 A054: That The… “Episcopal Church express its unequivocal opposition to any legislative, executive or judicial action on the part of local, state or national governments that abridges the right of a woman to reach an informed decision … or that would limit the access of a woman to safe means of acting on her decision.) ;
• Ensuring equal access to every health care service regardless of gender (reaffirming 1994 A055: that the… “General Convention urge adequate government funding and support for research and development, prevention and treatment in matters affecting the health and quality of life of women, including domestic violence, AIDS, heart disease, breast, ovarian and endometrial cancer, safe and effective contraceptives, and other methods of pregnancy prevention, maternity care, menopause and chronic illnesses unique to or prevalent among women ) ;
• Ensuring health care is equal in coverage and cost regardless of gender.

Motion carried

Resolution adopted with amendment

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #116)