by Sarah Audelo, Senior Federal Policy Manager

This year, you have already proven how truly powerful grassroots activists can be. I wish we had time to simply celebrate these victories, but the attacks just keep coming.

After an outpouring of support from activists like you, President Obama and the Department of Health and Human Services announced in January that they are standing strong by no-cost birth control. In that announcement, the administration kept intact a conscience clause for churches. While we believe everyone should have access to basic preventive coverage, the Obama administration has already provided a compromise.

TAKE ACTION: Tell President Obama to stand strong against attacks on birth control coverage. Tell Congress not to undermine women's access to basic health care.

Despite these clear concessions aimed at finding a middle ground, social conservatives are not stopping their relentless attack on access to birth control. Social conservatives — led, as usual, by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops — have decided that if you're a student or employee of a religious affiliated organization, they have the right to deny you any medical coverage they don't agree with.

This view is extreme, but they're making sure people listen. If you look at the media, birth control is suddenly a "controversial issue."

It's 2012. Are we seriously talking about denying women access to birth control? Apparently, we are.