Erosion: 1. Gradual breaking down.
The gradual destruction or reduction and weakening of
something.

Eighty-nine years ago women secured the right to vote in this country.
Forty-nine years ago the first oral contraceptive was approved by the FDA.
Forty-six years ago the Equal Pay Act became law. Most recent statistics show that for every dollar a man earns, a woman earns 66cents.
Forty years ago women could not have utility bills listed in their own names.
Thirty-seven years ago a woman could not buy a car , nor have the title to the car in her own name.
Thirty-six years ago abortions became legal. The first female commercial airline pilot was hired.
Thirty-five years ago women were allowed to obtain credit in their own names.
Thirty-three years ago when I was registering patients at acute care hospitals all female patients, married or not, had to have a male guarantor sign to ensure that the bill would be paid.

I know you can see where I’m going with this line of thought. All these hard fought and hard won ‘rights’ for American women are being eroded. Every facet of daily life with regard to women’s rights is under attack. So many things that our daughters and granddaughters take for granted are in danger.

Yesterday a change in suggested ‘guidelines’ for mammograms was released. A government ‘oversight’ forum. Mostly comprised of physicians that are not oncologists, this forum proffers their evidence and statistics with the intent to change accepted standards of care.
The end result of this information could result in screening mammograms not being obtained because a) a body of physicians states that there is not enough evidence to warrant the test to be done on women in their forties b) insurance companies will cling to this particular evidence as the be-all and end-all standard of care in the realm of breast cancer- thus they will cite it as the reason to deny payment for the test.

The health reform package currently being pondered by Congress has been hamstrung over the abortion component. Some of those carrying the knives that slashed at the hamstrings are religious powerhouses.

My point in this piece is not to argue partisan or non partisan policies. My point is not to express one religious view over another. My point , my intent is this: Choice. The right to choose. The right to have a variety of options available so one can make a choice, no matter what the individuals’ circumstances.

It took one hundred and forty-four years for women to be allowed to choose a candidate to vote for in an election. Choose. Not have a choice foisted on her.

Offering options, but making those options impossible to exercise is not free choice.

I am not pro-abortion or anti-abortion. I am pro-choice. I am not suggesting that mammograms are the be all and end all in cancer detection. What I am suggesting is that by issuing ‘guidelines’ that are in direct opposition to those who are on the front lines of cancer detection and treatment only serves to diminish the positive strides taken in women’s healthcare.

Choice. What influences a choice? So many things. Evidence of past performance- whether the object is a car, a TV or an x-ray machine. Past results- positive or negative, can color a choice.

At this point in time, battles fought long ago for equal rights for women should not still be raging. Women should have all the options possible in regards to the arenas of healthcare, education, career choice, military obligations, property- both real and personal, legal representation and redress- etc. etc.

I am not saying ‘better’ than men. I am saying ‘equal’ to- there is a difference.

While there has been much discussion about the government having too much control over our lives- I submit that in many instances certain facets of business are rewarded behind closed doors while taking their hand slaps from the government in the public eye. Those businesses then continue the invasion and control over our lives just as government does.

My deepest concern however, is what I perceive as loss and erosion of women’s rights in this country and that, in my opinion, translates to a loss for the country as a whole.