Last week we reported on the pay gap. This time it's in out-of-pocket dollars spent on health care. Women spend 68% more, and almost all of the difference is due to the high cost of contraceptive supplies and services. Senators Olympia Snowe (R-ME), and Harry Reid (D-NV) are aiming to balance the sexual scales with S.766, the Equity in Prescription Insurance and Contraceptive Coverage Act (EPICC). EPICC will prohibit health insurance plans that cover prescription drugs from excluding or restricting benefits for FDA-approved contraceptives (2/3 of large group plans exclude coverage of oral contraceptives). Snowe and Reid point out that the bill has a strong potential for reducing unintended pregnancy and abortion. This is one bill any Senator -- pro-choice or anti-choice -- should be able to support. Call yours at 202-225-3121 or send e-mail).

"Sexual harassment exists throughout the Army, crossing gender, rank, and racial lines," according to a scathing report released two weeks ago by Secretary of the Army Togo West. Sexual discrimination is even more common than sexual harassment. The House Military Personnel Subcommittee is expected to hold hearings beginning October 1 on the report. Even though the Army itself reports that women do better in mixed training (and men do as well or better), opponents of women in the military will be out in forces to say the Army should change alright - by banning women or going to segregated training. Tell committee members you're not buying -- the Army should clean up its act and stop discriminating against female soldiers. Contact Chair Steve Buyer (R-IN; BS-Citadel) 202-225-5037; Fax: 202-225-2267; no e-mail and ranking member Gene Taylor (D-MS) 202-225-5772. fax 202-225-7074; E-mail.

If you're an average white woman, that's how much you're shortchanged by the persistent pay gap with white men. If you're Black you lose $11,500, if you're Hispanic the gap is a whopping $15,000. Data out this week from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows us the pay gap is widening, not getting smaller. The Paycheck Fairness Act (HR 2023), to try and eliminate the pay gap, has been introduced in the House by Reps. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) and Rosa DeLauro (D-CT). The bill authorizes $46.5 million for better enforcement of the 30-year-old Equal Pay Act (violations are still widespread). It also has a provision which would authorize the Secretary of Labor to issue voluntary pay guidelines for relative pay ranges of female-and male-dominated occupations, and to collect generalized pay information from employers (the bad news is the info wouldn't be public). Co-sponsors from both parties are needed -- if your Reps (202-225-3121 or send e-mail) won't sign on to fair pay for women, tell 'em you're probably going to be so busy in November working extra hours to catch up with men you won't be able to vote for them.

This year's Pay Inequity Day (the day in '97 that women finally reached the '96 earnings of men) was April 11. Events were held all over the country to call attention to women's number one concern -- short paychecks. The National Committee on Pay Equity is signing up groups now for next year's day -- looks like it may be later in April than this year's. To stage an event, have some fun, and make change for women, call NCPE at 202-331-7343.

Congress is working on appropriations, and there's no doubt women will be shortchanged. On July 2, the U.S. detonated plutonium and chemical explosives in the Nevada desert as part of "subcritical" nuclear weapons experiments, and the war-boys plan on spending $20 million of the taxpayer's money on four more planned tests, when it could go for health care, education, housing and breast cancer research (ironically, there is growing evidence of a connection to radiation). These tests (which violate the spirit of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty signed by the U.S. last year) have generated strong opposition worldwide, with letters to President Clinton from 44 members of the House of Representatives, peace groups, and the mayors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Feminists for a Compassionate Society in Austin, Texas is leading an ongoing protest against spending our tax dollars in this destructive way. NO NUKES is the message of a series of concerts headlined by Bonnie Raitt, touring the country beginning Sept. 24. NO NUKES OR NO VOTES is the message for your member of Congress at 202-224-3121 (or send e-mail). For info on the campaign, contact Feminists for a Compassionate Society at 512-447-6222. (Alert from WFF 9/12/97.)

When Congress passed the welfare law last year, it allowed states to exempt women from being kicked off welfare if they are fleeing family violence, but the law is so confusing many states are denying benefits to these women anyway. Thanks to the work of the NOW Legal Defense and Education Fund and activists who called, wrote and faxed (WFF 6/27), a clarification amendment passed the Senate this week. Senators Murray (D-WA 202-224-2621, fax 202-224-0238; E-mail) and Wellstone (D-MN; 202-224-5641; fax 202-224-8438; E-mail) forced a roll-call vote (97-1, Jesse I'm-a-Jerk Helms voting no). This will be leverage against the House conservatives who will want to drop the measure behind closed doors of a conference committee before the final bill (HHS appropriations) is passed. Keep the pressure on the House conferees thru Rep. Bill Archer (R-TX), (202-225-2571 fax 202-225-4381; no e-mail); and White House negotiator John Hilley at fax 202-456-6220.

Just as we are celebrating the 25th anniversary of Title IX, the law that made discrimination in educational programs illegal, we may lose a major implementation vehicle for the law. Under Title VI, regional centers and state offices were established which provided staffing and support for eliminating discrimination, including providing coordinators for school districts to insure Title IX compliance. Under the 1998 budget, the administration request for $14 million has been cut in half by Congress, drastically reducing resources and services to local districts in complying with anti-discrimination laws. The National Coalition for Women and Girls in Education (contact: Linda Shevits 410-767-0428) is urging the President, Secretary of Education, and selected members of the conference committees to restore the full $14 million in Title IV funding to ensure equal educational opportunity. Add your voice to the Coalition's by calling, faxing or e-mailing the White House (202-456-1111; fax 202-456-2461; E-mail); Sec. of Education Riley ((202) 401-3000; fax 202-401-0596; no e-mail); Sen. Arlen Specter (202-224-4254; fax 202-228-1229; E-mail); Sen. Tom Harkin (202-224-3254; fax 202-224-9369; E-mail); Rep. Steny Hoyer (202-225-4131; fax 202-225-4300; no e-mail), and Rep. Nita Lowey (202-225-6506; fax 202-225-0546; E-mail).

Like the rest of the world, WFF mourns the passing of Princess Diana. Millions of words have been written about her this week, but we'd like to give you these words from her, spoken in an interview after her divorce from Charles: "People think at the end of the day that a man is the only answer [to fulfillment]. Actually a job is better for me." And what a job she did, showing us that royalty can also be truly regal and compassionate.