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The two years I spent serving as a volunteer with the Peace Corps in West Africa taught me to question injustices, particularly those injustices that jeopardize the sexual and reproductive health and rights of young women and girls. I never imagined that one day I would find myself questioning injustices faced by Peace Corps volunteers themselves. Peace Corps volunteers are now one of the only groups who receive their health care through the federal government who are denied coverage for abortion services in the cases of rape, incest, or life endangerment.<br>
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<a target="_blank" href="https://secure.advocatesforyouth.org/page/m/7d94ac04/609d82b3/76b190b0/2305124f/1540862404/VEsE/" title="http://bit.ly/15JUgiz"><strong>Demand health equity for Peace Corps volunteers.</strong></a></div>
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Fortunately, Senators Lautenberg, Shaheen, Gillibrand, Boxer, Murray, and Warren have introduced the Peace Corps Equity Act, which would allow the Peace Corps to provide the same coverage for abortion care—in cases of rape, incest, and life endangerment—as employees covered under other federal health plans receive.</div>
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More than 210,000 of us have served in the Peace Corps since its founding 52 years ago. Peace Corps volunteers provide an invaluable service to our country and the countries in which we serve, but we often do it at risk to our own safety and security. Over the past decade, more than 1,000 volunteers have experienced sexual assault.</div>
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Denying volunteers basic health care is grossly unjust. All women serving our country deserve equity and fairness in access to health care, consistent with other areas of federal law.</div>
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<a target="_blank" href="https://secure.advocatesforyouth.org/page/m/7d94ac04/609d82b3/76b190b0/2305124f/1540862404/VEsF/" title="http://bit.ly/15JUgiz"><strong>Please contact your Senators today to urge their support for the Peace Corps Equity Act!</strong></a></div>
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In solidarity,</div>
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Janine Kossen<br>
Director of Public Policy and Returned Peace Corps Volunteer<br>
Advocates for Youth</div>
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P.S. Don't forget to <a target="_blank" href="https://secure.advocatesforyouth.org/page/m/7d94ac04/609d82b3/76b190b0/23051248/1540862404/VEsC/" title="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Peace%20corps%20volunteers%20deserve%20health%20equity.%20I%20stand%20with%20%40FrankLautenberg%20%26%20%40AdvocatesTweets%20in%20supporting%20them.%20http%3A%2F%2Fbit.ly%2F15JUgiz"><strong>tweet</strong></a> about the bill!</div>
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<strong><a target="_blank" href="https://secure.advocatesforyouth.org/page/m/7d94ac04/609d82b3/76b190b0/23051248/1540862404/VEsD/" title="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Peace%20corps%20volunteers%20deserve%20health%20equity.%20I%20stand%20with%20%40FrankLautenberg%20%26%20%40AdvocatesTweets%20in%20supporting%20them.%20http%3A%2F%2Fbit.ly%2F15JUgiz"> </a></strong>
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<strong><a target="_blank" href="https://secure.advocatesforyouth.org/page/m/7d94ac04/609d82b3/76b190b0/23051248/1540862404/VEsA/" title="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Peace%20corps%20volunteers%20deserve%20health%20equity.%20I%20stand%20with%20%40FrankLautenberg%20%26%20%40AdvocatesTweets%20in%20supporting%20them.%20http%3A%2F%2Fbit.ly%2F15JUgiz">Peace corps volunteers deserve health equity. I stand with @FrankLautenberg & @AdvocatesTweets in supporting them. http://bit.ly/15JUgiz</a></strong></div>
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