DENVER─ Today, members of the Colorado Senate Majority stood up for women across the country by defeating a measure sponsored by Senator Tim Neville (R-Littleton).  Senate Memorial 3 would have asked Congress to enact the controversial “Blunt Amendment,” a major component of the recent war on women that is being waged across the nation. 

The Blunt amendment would allow employers, insurance companies or health care providers to deny coverage of any form of medical care, including birth control or mammograms, based simply on religious or undefined "moral" objections.

Senator Morgan Carroll (D-Aurora) offered the following comment on SM-3 today:

“We have seen the War on Women spread across the country, and this was our opportunity to stand up for the women in Colorado and say ‘not here.’  Every woman has the right to access basic health care without being questioned or denied these services by an employer, medical facility, or insurer.  Women have made invaluable contributions to the economic success, well being, and prosperity of our state, and we will continue to fight for access to quality comprehensive care on their behalf.”

SM-3 would have put Colorado on record as supporting allowing employers or insurers to put their religious or moral beliefs above those of patients. The adoption of such legislation could prevent Coloradans from having access to medical care including:

•         Birth Control
•         Vaccinations
•         Substance abuse counseling
•         In-vitro services
•         Mental health care
•         Reproductive health care
•         HIV/AIDS treatment
•         Mammograms
•         Maternity care
•         Cancer treatments