LETTERS: EMERSON BACKS INSURANCE FUNDS FOR CONTRACEPTIVES

To the editor:

Thank you to U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson, who went against President Bush on a recent vote that is very important to women and families.

Emerson voted in committee to reinstate insurance coverage of contraceptives for federal employees. Bush had taken that coverage away from federal employees in his version of the budget. I'm so glad Emerson turned her back on the hypocrisy of the president, who claims to be a compassionate conservative yet, when it comes to women's health care, tries to reduce access to much needed family-planning services.

I hope Emerson can convince her male colleagues in Missouri's Republican delegation to join her in supporting contraceptive coverage for federal employees when this issue comes up for a vote on the floor of the House and Senate.

SUE WILKE

Bonne Terre, Mo.