Pennsylvania
- internationaladvoc
- Mar 6, 2021
- 2 min read
About 14% of women experienced period poverty in the last year and an additional 10% each month. This is partially because of inflated costs and unnecessary taxes.
Taxes are in place because the government doesn't recognize menstrual products as a nessessicity, but they are. (List out some reasons why they are - be personal and specific.) These products are not covered by food stamps and are subject to taxes in 30 states. These taxes and barriers make basic dignity and sanitation unattainable for many. Globally, 70% of reproductive health care issues are due to poor menstrual health. Many who are unable to access proper products use rags, paper, leaves, mattress stuffing, and other undignified materials.
Many will leave tampons in too long, just to conserve their limited supply. This puts our health and lives at risk. By allowing states to tax these crucial products, politicians are risking the lives of countless citizens. Thus we are lobbying in support of
State Legislation
House: H.R. 1708 Lily’s Bill: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in school health services, providing for menstrual hygiene products.
Senate: S.B. 976 Pennsylvania Menstrual Equity Act: This bill expands specified programs to include access to menstrual hygiene products. Specifically, the bill requires that such products are made available to (1) public school students, (2) incarcerated or detained individuals, (2) homeless individuals, (3) individuals using health care flexible-spending accounts, (4) Medicaid recipients; (5) employees of organizations with at least 100 workers, and (6) individuals accessing federal buildings.
Federal Lobbying
House: H.R. 1882 Menstrual Equity for All Act of 2019: This bill expands specified programs to include access to menstrual hygiene products. Specifically, the bill requires that such products are made available to (1) public school students, (2) incarcerated or detained individuals, (2) homeless individuals, (3) individuals using health care flexible-spending accounts, (4) Medicaid recipients; (5) employees of organizations with at least 100 workers, and (6) individuals accessing federal buildings.
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