The Senate has now introduced their healthcare reform legislation, and the first votes have already taken place to bring the bill to the Senate floor for debate. Amendments to the Senate's legislation, including language similar to the Stupak-Pitts amendment that passed the House of Representatives, are still a possibility. The fight to protect reproductive rights and women's health has only just begun.

Your voice as a Catholic is critical in the healthcare debate. The Senate needs to hear that the bishops are not the sole voice of Catholics on these issues, and do not speak for the vast majority of Catholics who support insurance coverage of abortion services.

Join us and take action one of four ways over the next few weeks:

1. Attend the Wednesday, December 2, 2009, 9:30- 5:30 p.m., in Washington, D.C. coalition lobby day to protect reproductive rights. If you can join us, please email activists@catholicsforchoice.org by 12 noon on Tuesday, December 1. The tentative schedule is below.

• 9:00-9:30: Lobby Training
• 9:30-10:30am: Lobby briefing on the Hill (Location TBA)
• 10:30am-12pm: Lobby visits - everyone to make their own appointments
• 12-2pm: Event with Members of Congress and guest speakers - Location TBA
• 2-4:30pm: Lobby visits - everyone should make their own appointments
• 4:30pm: Closing and report back

If you can't join us in DC, please call your Senators toll- free on December 2 at 888-423-5983. Tell them to not include Stupak-Pitts language in healthcare reform legislation.

2. Sign the petition. A coalition of approximately 40 pro-choice, progressive groups, are urging all of our supporters to sign an online petition asking President Obama, Majority Leader Reid, and Speaker Pelosi to eliminate the Stupak- Pitts amendment and protect women's health.

Hard copies of these petitions will be delivered to the Senate on Dec. 2, so make sure to add your name to the petition.

3. Attend in-state events. On December 5-6, across the United States, there will be a series of events and rallies in opposition to the Stupak-Pitts amendment. If you would like to be notified of events in your state, please email us at activists@catholicsforchoice.org with your name, email, city and state.