WHAT YOU CAN DO

SIGN THE PETITION
If there has ever been a petition to sign, this is the one. Please sign Planned Parenthood’s petition asking President Obama, Majority Leader Reid, and Speaker Pelosi to make sure that this insidious amendment does not make it into the final health care reform bill.

When you’re done signing, please use the “tell-a-friend tool” to ask 10 of your friends to join you in signing.

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Share this youtube video above on facebook, and twitter. Here’s a link: http://bit.ly/2SIrZk   OR  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvdxOKNDruI

FACEBOOK
Donate your facebook status to the cause. Use the following message:

Health care reform is about expanding access to health care—not taking coverage away. If you agree, please join me in signing the petition to make sure that the Stupak Amendment does not make it into the final health care reform bill. Then copy this message and donate your status to the cause. http://bit.ly/3XvWOY

TWITTER 
Share this post on twitter. Use the following message:

I’m doing my part to STOP STUPAK—are you? http://bit.ly/3XvWOY #stopstupak

Thank you for your support.  Together we can pass health care reform that moves our country forward—not backward.

Stay Connected!

by Karina
Web Editor
Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota Action Fund

“The Stupak/Pitts amendment violates the spirit of health care reform, which is meant to guarantee quality, affordable health care coverage for all. In fact, this amendment would create a two-tiered system that would punish women, particularly those with low and middle incomes, the very people this bill is intended to assist. The majority of private health insurance plans currently offer abortion coverage, and the Stupak/Pitts amendment would result in the elimination of private abortion coverage in the ‘exchange,’ the new insurance market created under health care reform, as well as in the public option, if one is created.

The Stupak/Pitts amendment is nothing more than an attempt by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and anti-choicers to hijack health care reform.  Most of the House members who voted in favor of Stupak/Pitts also voted AGAINST the entire health care package. “These single-issue advocates simply used health care reform to advance their extreme, ideological agenda at the expense of tens of millions of women,” Stoesz said.

So the next question is—- will this language make it into the final bill? That all depends on if the Senate is willing to stand up for women’s health.

A recent article MinnPost indicates that Amy and Al are opposed to the House bill’s language on abortion.

Amy’s take on the issue:

On Monday, Klobuchar said that she favored the Senate approach to the new House language.

"I prefer the Senate version because we basically were careful that we were not going to restrict that type of coverage — that an individual using their private money would be able to buy [a plan that includes abortion coverage]," said Klobuchar. "I think that was the right way to go. Hopefully we will be able to prevail."

And here are Al’s thoughts:

"I am not happy with it [the Stupak Amendment]," Franken said. "I mean it basically says that a woman cannot buy a policy on the exchange that covers abortion… even with [her] own money, and I think that that is not right and we will try to change it."

Thankfully in Minnesota we have two Senators who are willing to work to make sure health care reform takes us forward. Let’s hope they can influence the rest of the Senate to work toward that same goal.

by Karina
Web Editor
Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota Action Fund

As you probably heard, our Governor, Tim Pawlenty had a large fundraiser in Minneapolis featuring guest speakers, Cliff (John Ratzenberger)  Jon Voight (of Deliverance and Midnight Cowboy fame), and a special call-in speech from Frasier (Kelsey Grammer).  They were all there to help Governor Pawlenty raise funds for his “Freedom First” PAC, which is raising funds to elect conservative candidates who are are putting “Freedom First.”

Well, guess what?? WE, too, have PAC that is also focused on putting Freedom First—Reproductive Freedom—- which given Governor Pawlenty’s anti-choice record, is probably not the kind “Freedom” he has in mind for his PAC.  

The Planned Parenthood Minnesota Political Action Fund recently launched an online fundraising campaign for our PAC in order to elect a Pro-Choice Governor in Minnesota in 2010, who supports reproductive freedom, as well as comprehensive sex ed, family planning, and other policies that reduce unintended pregnancies and STIs.

We don’t have Cliff or Frasier, but we do have the support of Minnesotans who are supportive of not letting the government interfere with the most private and personal decisions. We’d love to have your support too.  

So show your support for electing progressive, pro-choice candidates in Minnesota by making a donation to our PAC.  At the same time you’ll be sticking it Frasier and Cliff, showing your disapproval for Pawlenty not including Reproductive Freedom in his PAC.

We appreciate your contribution in any amount. 

Reproductive health care decisions, for many women, have already been made—and they haven’t had any say in the matter.  For some, it's because they have no health insurance. For others, it's because they can’t afford to pay for treatment. And for many, it is a lack of access to a health care provider. Women may have the right to make their own decisions regarding their reproductive health, but that is often a moot point if their hands are tied by the factors described above. And unfortunately for the majority of women living in rural communities, this is exactly what can happen.

According to a report released by Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota on the state of rural women's health (download it here), "More than 94% of Planned Parenthood’s 64,000 patients are women, and nearly 60% live in rural Minnesota." That's around 38,000 women! There is a huge need here that has to be addressed, not only for Minnesota, but for rural women across our country. Health care reform can go a long way to helping improve the situation by making insurance more accessible and affordable, but what about access to health care providers?

When you live in an urban or suburban area, it's easy to take for granted how close you are to your doctor. But what if the nearest doctor was located more than an hour away, by car, and you lacked the transportation to get there? Again, the report shows that "more than half of Minnesota’s rural counties have been designated as health- professional shortage areas due to an inadequate number of primary care providers." Health care reform must also consider the huge factor geography can play in accessing health care.

A woman's ability to make critical health decisions or receive important preventative care shouldn’t be taken away simply because of where she lives.

 

by Karina
Web Editor
Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota Action Fund

Okay, so hopefully it’s not really a "trend," but it’s troubling nonetheless. So last night, in the two gubernatorial elections that took place yesterday, two pro-choicer were defeated by two anti-choicers.

In New Jersey’s case, it was Chris “I am Pro-life” Christie who defeated incumbent Jon Corzine, and in Virginia, the beyond anti-choice, Bob “women working is detrimental to society” McDonnell managed to beat out state Pro-choice state Senator Creigh Deeds, despite McDonnell’s downright wacky views.  

I have to say—It scares me a little bit to think about the upcoming 2010 election when 36 states will elect their Governor.  Minnesota is one of those 36 states.

Wouldn’t it be great to have an amazing Pro-Choice Governor in Minnesota ?  Think about it—Minnesota teens could FINALLY have comprehensive sex ed. We could build robust family planning programs that give our citizens access to basic health care. And we wouldn’t have to worry about what the next piece of crazy, invasive legislation that anti-choicers cook up.

Yesterday, a year from the 2010 elections, the Planned Parenthood Minnesota Political Action Fund launched a fundraising campaign to help ensure that the next Governor we elect is Pro-Choice.  We’ve now got less than one year to raise the funds to ensure that we help make that vision a reality.  

And let’s face it—you probably haven’t made up your mind about who you are personally supporting for Governor (at least I know I haven’t), but your contribution of 10 or 25 bucks could go a long way toward supporting a progressive, pro-choice candidate to be our next Governor.  

Make a contribution to elect a Pro-Choice Governor in 2010.

Thanks to all of you who attended last weekend’s Sex Ed Rocks benefit concert at the Hexagon Bar in Minneapolis! We estimate that over 300 people attended – I spend a lot of time in that bar, and I’ve never before seen so many women, or heard anyone utter the word “ovulation” before within its walls! Extra special thanks to the great bands who played – City on the Make, The Knotwells, Magic Castles, The Vignettes  and SHAHS  and to several great businesses and artists who donated prizes to give out during sex ed trivia. On that note, great job to all of you who still managed to give some great, well-informed answers to sex ed trivia, despite the bar atmosphere. By the end of the night, we raised over $600 for Planned Parenthood’s new program providing HIV education and testing to American Indian women and girls in Northern Minnesota, and we had a lot of fun and made a lot of new friends. We hope to do another show soon, and hope you’ll all join us again!

The Rochester Teen Council joined more than 150 people who spent the night sleeping in frigid temperatures to raise funds for and awareness of homelessness in Rochester.

The Teen Council built a box in support of comprehensive sex ed (because majority of homeless teens NOT with a family have runaway or been kicked out of the house due to pregnancy or sexual orientation) and made news,  appearing all over the Post Bulletin's photo album for the event.

We talked to two members of the Teen Council and asked them a few questions about why they participated in Cardboard Box City, why their work with the Teen Council is so important and what drives them to serve the community. “I participated in Cardboard Box City to gain the perspective of homeless teens on a day to day basis by spending the night in a box in frigid temperatures,” said Kathryn, a Teen Council Member. “I believe it helped me understand how privileged my peers and I are, and how important it is that people our age support causes such as Cardboard Box City to raise awareness of issues that are overlooked but so common in our society,” Kathryn said.

Kate, another Teen Council Member cited her concern for the community and drive to educate as her reason for participating.

“I participated in Cardboard Box City because I believe that it's a cause worth fighting for, and worth talking about,” said Kate. “ If you keep people in the dark, how will they ever learn about what's out there? They won't. If people would just go out and volunteer once for a cause like this one, they could inform so many other people about homelessness,” Kate said. “There are many people that are homeless and we just tell them they have to move to another area. That's doesn't sound very kind hearted to me, if people would see homeless people and tell them where they could go for some food, shelter, or decent clothing that would be the community I only dream of; for now,” Kate added.

The evening was a meaningful one. Kathryn said, “My biggest take away from the night was waking up in the morning and realizing that I have a warm shower and bed to go home to. Then it hit me that homeless people do not have that luxury. It's really humbling to experience the feeling of privilege over others, and it makes me want to help that much more.

And Kate talked about service to the community as an essential part of her reason for joining.“It’s the work that we all do together. How we educate, advocate and serve our communities. I've known about teen council since it started and I've never lost interest in what we do. The work that Planned Parenthood does impacts the community in so many ways. I am so glad I've had the chance to get to work with Planned Parenthood, and I'm honored to work with every single Teen Council member.

Planned Parenthood Rochester Education Manager Ehryn Barthelme couldn’t be prouder of the Teen Council Members.

“Teen Council members represent the very best of humanity.  They spend hours each week learning about reproductive health and giving back to their communities by teaching, raising awareness and advocating for human rights in all areas.  They do this outside of their regular eight hour school day and jobs and are always coming to us with new ideas to create a better world.  I think I can speak for all of us who work with these remarkable young people, that they are making the world a better place for us all.  It is a joy going to work each day knowing that these teens are there, ready to "save the world, one person at a time."  They are TRUE superheroes,” Barthelme said

You can find out more about Teen Council here

by Karina
Web Editor
Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota Action Fund

This year Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota is focusing on the importance of family meals to encourage communication and connection. To that end, we've created the Planned Parenthoods Lets Talk Month Tablemat, a tool to help get mealtime conversations started. Learn more about our Tablemat and how it can help you improve communication between you and your child.

Last week, potential health care reform legislation finally made it out of committee and that means the real work now begins. The Senate has two versions and the House has three versions, so the process of creating one finalized piece of legislation from these competing bills will require some time. However, this is still a historical and important step in the right direction towards getting some version of health care reform to pass. To learn more about this historical decision, click here to read an article from The Guardian. This is a critical time for our country and none of us can afford to stand on the sidelines.

It is at this historic time that opponents of health care reform will be working their hardest to defeat or curtail the bill. That's why we all need to do our part by contacting our Representatives and Senators and let them know what matters to us on this issue. Not only do we, as concerned citizens, need to let our legislators know we want them to support health care reform, we need to encourage them to stand up for women's reproductive health as well. Soon the legislature will have to decide on what will go into the final bill and we need you ask them to vote no on any amendments that would limit a woman's access to reproductive health care coverage. So speak up and let your voices be heard. In the fight to protect and expand women's access to reproductive health care, we all can make a difference.

Click here to get contact info for you legislators. Support women's health!

“No you can’t wear sandals and that sundress today, honey.  It’s not summer anymore.  It’s fall now—October.  It’s too cold,” I say.  “But I like to be cold,” says my daughter during our daily negotiation about what a person can wear outside the house.  I take her outside.  She says she’s not cold.  I see goosebumps on her sleeveless arms.  I ask her if she can see our breath when we talk.  She says yes.  She seems amazed and delighted by this, even as she starts to shiver slightly.   I ask her if she feels cold yet.  She says yes.  “Let’s go put on some warmer clothes,” I say.  She’s agreeable, even though it means taking off her favorite dress and well worn sandals and finding something more appropriate but not as familiar to put on.  Change is tough when you’re four-and-a-half.  And, on some mornings, getting dressed takes a very long time.  

As the season turns from summer to fall here in Minneapolis, the rate of change inside my house continues to astonish me.  My two young daughters have educated me on the subject of human development unlike any of the latest research I try to keep up with in my professional life in Planned Parenthood’s Education & Outreach Department.  Take the human brain, for example.  David Walsh, founder of the Minneapolis-based National Institute on Media and the Family, is an expert on adolescent brain development.  He says that our brains don’t really become “adult” until the age of about 25.  (25?!?  Will my daughter finally be able to dress herself appropriately by then?!?  Will I be in my early sixties before getting out the door every morning doesn’t feel like a small miracle?)  Walsh has helped us understand that the way our brains grow and develop is truly elegant and amazing, and that it takes a long time.  And the resulting behavior during childhood and adolescence?  Sometimes not so elegant and amazing.  (I’m gonna need all the help I can get.)

It really is a great time to be a parent right now.  It’s also a great time to be a professional who serves youth and families.  Researchers, scientists, physicians, and other impressive people are working hard on expanding our knowledge about what is good for kids and families.  Over at the University of Minnesota they’re working on something called Project EAT (Eating Among Teens).  Their studies, among others, show that the simple act of regularly sharing a family meal could be one of the most important things we can do to contribute to the health and well-being of children as they grow.  Children in families who eat together generally enjoy healthier food, but they are healthier in other ways too.  They tend to do better in school, are less likely to smoke, drink or use drugs, less likely to have eating disorders or be overweight, less likely to be depressed, more likely to wait longer to have sex, and more likely to have a positive view of the future.  Such a simple thing to do: eat dinner as a family.  

I’m constantly trying to get my intentions to match my behavior as a parent.  For example, I intend to breeze home after a rewarding day at work and put an appealing and nutritious meal on the table over which my family can enjoy each other’s company and catch up on the happenings of the day.  What actually happens is that I dash home later than I’d like at the end of a busy day, sling a store-bought meatloaf in the microwave while I take my coat off, take the crying baby from my husband, take a moment to explain not so calmly and for the one hundredth time the virtues of asking nicely for something to my 4-year-old (who whines about the meatloaf), feed myself while also feeding my 9-month-old who spreads her mooshy baby food all over her face, hands, hair and ears, and then herd the dishes to the sink.  I almost always feel rushed and frazzled.  But when we are sitting down together at dinner, things feel a bit more orderly and manageable.  And we talk and connect with each other.  And it feels good.  

I’m fortunate to have a job that enriches my personal life as much as it does.  This month, October, is Let’s Talk Month, during which we at Planned Parenthood focus on helping families to make stronger connections and to talk honestly and openly about sexual health and relationships.  This year, we are encouraging families to talk more around the table by using the Let’s Talk Tablemat – a conversation-starter tool.  Anything to help that family meal live on!  I fully intend to take it home and put it on my table, along with the reheated leftover meatloaf. 

Parenting is such a challenge.  There is a daily-ness to it that doesn’t let up.  My life is full.  But I do, after all, like a challenge.  Monday morning it was the sundress and sandals; this morning it was the snowpants and boots—my daughter’s choice for school, which takes place indoors.  “We’ll wear those when we go sledding in the winter,” I say.  My daughter starts whining.  I keep it upbeat.  “Let’s go find your jeans and sparkly shoes.”

We eventually make it out the door.  Another small miracle.  And tonight, I’m really looking forward to what we’ll talk about over that meatloaf.
    
Get more info on the Let’s Talk Tablemat on our website or use the buttons below to download the tablemat.

[Minneapolis] — In recognition of October as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota is encouraging women to make breast exams a priority.

“We see firsthand at our health centers that regular checkups save lives,” said PPMNS President and CEO Sarah Stoesz. “With approximately 16.7 million women uninsured nationwide, it’s critical that women have access to affordable, preventive health care, including cancer screenings,” Stoesz said.

Women who don’t have health insurance are more likely to postpone care and delay or forgo important preventive care such as cancer screenings, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation report. And women below the poverty level are less likely than women with higher incomes to have had a mammogram within the past two years.

PPMNS health centers offer affordable, preventive reproductive health care, including routine breast exams. Ninety-five percent of the care Planned Parenthood provides is preventive and primary. Last year PPMNS provided more than 20,000 breast cancer screenings and over 17,000 cervical cancer screenings to women and families in need of health care in 27 clinics throughout our region.
 
National Breast Cancer Awareness Month aims to increase public knowledge about the importance of early detection of breast cancer. Nearly 200,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year in the United States, and about 40,000 women will die from it. Breast cancer screenings, such as breast exams or mammograms, help detect breast cancer in its earliest stages.

Find a health center near you to schedule an appointment. 

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PRESS CONTACT: Kathi Di Nicola
651.755.9557

 
 

What is love?
What are three things you can do to be healthy?
What helps a person be a good parent?
How have you changed in the last year?

You can download the tablemat here.

Family meals can be an important opportunity to develop strong parent-child relationships and family connectedness. That feeling of connectedness motivates youth to make healthier choices as they grow. Like other forms of parental involvement, research shows a positive relationship between frequent family dinners and positive teen behavioral outcomes.

According to a report from U.S. Council of Economic Advisors (2000),teens who regularly have meals with their family are less likely to get into fights, think about suicide, smoke, drink, use drugs, and are more likely to have later initiation of sexual activity, and better academic performance than teens who do not.

“The truth is that parents have an enormous influence on their children’s decisions about sex—more than friends, the media or teachers,” said PPMNS President and CEO Sarah Stoesz. “Let’s Talk Month is about healthy families and strong, open and honest communication between parents and children,” Stoesz said.

Parents and caregivers have an important role teaching their children about sexuality, shaping their values and helping them develop into sexually healthy young adults. Let’s Talk Month is about empowering parents to comfortably have these important conversations with their children.

Planned Parenthood works year round in communities across our region to offer educational programming that supports and strengthens parents and families.  Contact us for more information about parent-child retreats and PASE events (Parents Are Sexuality Educators).  612-821-6198 or education@ppmns.org.  Or visit the Let's Talk Section of our website.

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CONTACT: Kathi Di Nicola
651.755.9557
 

Proper sex education in America was dealt a surprising blow a couple of weeks ago, and unfortunately it is not getting the attention it should. On September 30, the Senate Finance Committee passed an amendment proposal to fund abstinence only sex education. According to an article by The Washington Independent, which you can read here, "The proposal, offered by Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), would provide $50 million per year through 2014 exclusively for abstinence education programs." To say that this is disappointing is an understatement, especially under the Obama administration, which is on the record as being supportive of comprehensive sex ed programs.  If this passes, not only would it do a great disservice to the youth of our country, but this proposal detracts from an alternative proposal, which also passed, that is focused on broader teen wellness initiatives.

According to an article in The Huffington Post, which can be found here, the proposals still need to pass a vote by both the House and Senate and "Lawmakers will have to reconcile the two measures, both approved during debate on a sweeping health overhaul bill, as the legislation moves forward." Now, no one is denying that abstinence should be an important part of sexual education. Abstinence is the only way to prevent pregnancy and avoid sexually transmitted infections. However, to purposely keep teenagers ignorant of the ways and means to prevent pregnancy and disease is to invite the very problems you want them to avoid. The goal of any sex education program should be to provide accurate and complete information so that teens can make informed decisions about their sexual health.

For another, lighter, look at this issue, click here to see The Daily Show with Jon Stewart's take around the 6 minute mark. 

by Karina
Web Editor
Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota Action Fund

To raise money for a new Planned Parenthood program providing HIV education and testing to Native American women and girls in Northern Minnesota (and,of course, to celebrate its inception), we are bringing together five of our favorite local bands and a bar full of our friends and supporters for SEX ED ROCKS - a night of music, activism and, because we love giving stuff away, prizes for winners of sex ed trivia between bands!

Saturday 10/24 at the Hexagon Bar
Doors are at 9:00, and music will likely start around 9:30 and go 'tilclose.

Music from:
CITY ON THE MAKE / THE KNOTWELLS/MAGIC CASTLES/THE VIGNETTES/SHAHS

Sex Ed Trivia between bands with prizes donated by the following awesome local businesses:
Ichiban
Birchwood Cafe
Burlesque of North America
Check back for more to be announced!

THIS SHOW IS FREE!

There will also be a chance for you to learn about/sign a petition related to sexuality education, and grab a handful of free condoms because we want y'all to be safe.

Hope to see you there!

<<<NOTE - THIS IS A 21+ EVENT>>>

Guess what? If you’re on Facebook, you can RSVP here. And while you’re RSVPing, can you help us out by telling all your besties about the show by posting the event to your wall or going ahead and inviting them?

Or just send all your pals a link to this blog post and let them know about this fantastic event.

See you at the show!

Quality reproductive health care is of critical importance when considering health care reform legislation. Unfortunately, opponents of health care reform seem to be using abortion the same way they've used so-called death panels: as a smoke screen to confuse and incite.  Despite Planned Parenthood's stance on the issue, one thing needs to be made abundantly clear: there is no federal funding for abortion currently or to be provided for under health care reform legislation. To say otherwise is to be disingenuous at best and deliberately misleading at worst.

The fact is that the house version of the bill contains a well crafted compromise, known as the Capps Amendment, offering a solution to abortion coverage in health care reform. Representative Lois Capps, author of the amendment explains the facts on RH Reality check:

My amendment also ensures that in each region of the country, there is at least one plan in the Health Exchange that offers abortions services but also one plan in the Health Exchange that does not offer abortion services. This actually gives consumers who object to participating in a plan that covers abortion and are getting coverage through the Exchange a choice of insurance coverage greater than what most Americans have in the current employer-based health insurance market. Today, nearly 90 percent of employer-sponsored private health insurance plans cover abortion services.

Recently, a great editorial in the New York Times discussed this issue and it is a must read. Now, compromises have been, and always will need to be, made on any piece of legislation. The question before us is how far these compromises are going to need to go in order for health care reform to be passed. Ultimately, the greatest concern is ensuring that women have access to quality reproductive health care that they need and can afford. That goal is worth some compromise, especially if it means health care reform succeeds.

In a recent podcast, Tim Stanley, the Executive Director of Planned Parenthood of Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota Action Fund, spoke about how this issue is being used as a distraction from the main issue. Be sure to click here to listen to the interview and find out more information about what you can do about to help.

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Contact: Kathi Di Nicola
Director of Media Relations
651.755.9557
 

by Karina
Web Editor
Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota Action Fund

Via Media Matters I’ve caught wind of yet another ridiculous display of anti-choice political grandstanding.

First of all, this is absolutely untrue. The Hill points out that the measure with which Rep. Bachmann is taking issue explicitly states “such clinics must follow state laws governing parental consent.” In fact, there is nothing in this bill that mentions anything about Planned Parenthood. So, why would Representative Bachmann distort the truth so horrendously?  

It’s just a prime example of trying to play to the fears of people in order to scare them. For anti-choicers and those who oppose health care reform, like Representative Bachmann, that’s what it’s all about. Time and time again the falsities they spread are disproved, yet their talking points remain the same. Why?

Because they aren’t actually interested in improving the health and lives of men, women, and families. If they were, then they’d be talking about the disparities women face in our health care system, or the lack of coverage for preventative care.  They’d show interest in how to PASS the health care reform, instead of how to take it down.  Here’s hoping Representative Bachmann and those like her will start to focus on real solutions to our health care crisis, instead spending their time talking about made up issues.

The face of health care reform

Recently I had the privilege to see and hear a man who is one of the most significant figures of our time during his visit to Minneapolis. As a group, Planned Parenthood volunteers and staff held signs and stood wearing bright pink to support President Obama’s plan for health care reform.  President Obama champions women’s rights, education, scientific discovery and doesn’t believe that those who are worst off in this country should be left behind. 
 
His plan would help us ensure some fundamental rights with regards to access to our amazing health care system: the right to coverage regardless of preexisting conditions, the right to coverage of your illness once you get sick, the right to coverage of preventative care, and importantly, coverage for all children in America.  I could go on and on about rights we should have as the richest nation in the world.
 
These rights are especially important to me, and from what I’ve heard from both liberal and conservative friends, we agree on these.  The reason I support health care reform isn’t because I lack coverage - I’ve actually been very lucky to be covered through work - but because of the lessons I learned growing up.

When I was seventeen, my mother was diagnosed with colon cancer. Along with all the other events of my senior year, I spent a lot of time escorting my mother to doctors’ appointments and fighting with our insurance, trying to get them to cover her chemotherapy and surgery. As a seventeen then eighteen year-old I was, sadly, no match for them. I was an emotional teenager who was watching her mother waste away. Thankfully, our grandmother was around to help my sister and me work through this terrible time.

We found out later, after my mom’s initial surgery, that she was diagnosed with stage four cancer and given six months to live. I can only speculate on what would have happened if the cancer had been caught earlier. I do know that she waited for months, feeling sick, waiting for our new insurance to kick in, before being seen. I know that she was screened years before for colon cancer and told to continue with screening. Unfortunately, our insurance was tied to our family business and did not cover those screenings and often changed based on cost, resulting in long waiting periods for coverage.

So when the story broke that President Obama would be coming to Minneapolis to talk about health care reform, I knew I had to be there. Coverage of basic health care screenings, and ensuring people are not disqualified for a preexisting condition, dropped from their insurance for becoming ‘too sick,’ and not having a cap on coverage should be part of being an American citizen. We know that preventative care saves lives and saves money over time.
 
These are also all reasons why I volunteer for Planned Parenthood.  I’ve experienced so much in life and yet been so lucky, from being a teen parent, helping my younger sister finish high school after our mother passed away, taking care of and watching a parent die too early, the many lessons taken from teaching high school science and now as a PhD student in microbiology, but the most important one of all was learning to be a mother.  Because of all these lessons and experiences, I want to support women, educate teens and ensure women’s rights.  Planned Parenthood works tirelessly to ensure women have access to health care, teens are educated about sexual health and that women have the right to choose. I’ve been lucky enough to volunteer in all of these realms and work with some amazing people at Planned Parenthood. 
 
We may not all agree on health care reform, but don’t forget the human faces behind it. Please keep all this in mind when talking to your representatives, friends and family about health care reform.

(photo 1: Rachel at President Obama's health care reform rally in Minneapolis. Photo 2: Rachel and her mother) 
 

In Canada, the number of women employed is now greater than men and America isn't far behind. Massive rounds of layoffs, by which men have been disproportionately impacted in the US, have played a big role in this change. That's an unfortunate reality of the situation, but it also underscores the important role women are going to play in the future of our country’s economy. It also serves to highlight the inequalities between the sexes when it comes to pay and benefits. Men still earn more and women are more likely to work in positions that don't provide benefits such as health insurance.

It is with these facts in mind that it becomes clear how critical a role Health Care Reform will play in the economic recovery. Here's why:

1. Health care reform would enable more women to receive timely and necessary reproductive health care. This access allows women to make the critical family planning decisions that will not only help them enter the workforce but stay there, if they decide to, for as long as they want.

2. Without having to seek positions that offer health insurance, more women can strike out on their own as entrepreneurs. Think of the innovation and economic benefit that could be realized when a person doesn't have to worry about paying for their medication or a doctor's visit.

3. With more women in the workforce, gaps in pay will eventually equalize. With more women working to support their families, greater importance will be placed on pay equity. Not too mention that more women entering the workforce in general will lead to more women in better paying positions and leadership roles.

Despite the current tough economic reality, no one can deny that our country is on the brink of massive changes in the workforce. Health care reform and it's impact on women's access to reproductive health will be critical to our economic recovery.

South Dakota Attorney General Appeals Abortion Ruling, MS Magazine 9.23.09

A world first: AIDS vaccine cuts the risk of HIV infection by 31 percent in big Thai study, Star Tribune 9.24.09

Economy impacting women's health locally, nationally, Minnesota Independent 9.24.09

by Karina
Web Editor
Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota Action Fund

Seems like every time I turn on the news it's "Health care reform this" and "Health care reform that." But what does it all mean, and why do I care?  Well there is good reason to care. Health care reform just may be one of the most important pieces of legislation of our lifetime.  And there is a lot at stake-especially for women. Women pay more out-of-pocket costs (largely because of reproductive health needs), are less likely to have employer based insurance, and many avoid care do to the associated costs.  First Lady Michelle Obama recently spoke about the unique role women have in the health care system and the need for reform to address the disparities women face.  At Planned Parenthood, we couldn't agree more, and as an advocate for women's health, we are committed to making sure that health care reform doesn't leave women worse off than they already are.

I recently interviewed Tim Stanley, Executive Director of the Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota Action Fund about what Planned Parenthood's role is in the health care reform debate.  In our interview we also discussed the myths surrounding abortion funding, the Capps amendment, and what supporters can do to help ensure that health care reform passes.

You can listen using the player below, or subscribe to our podcast in itunes.

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•    Nearly half of the women surveyed said they want to delay pregnancy or limit the number of children they have because of the economy.

•    Nearly one in four women reported delaying a gynecological or contraceptive visit because of financial concerns.

•    More than one in four women said they or their partners have lost jobs or health insurance in the last year.

•    Women who are financially worse off were more likely to report changes in contraception use and childbearing decisions, including being more likely to forgo contraception or switch to a long-term contraceptive method in order to save money.

“Too many women can’t afford birth control, and too few families have adequate health insurance coverage.  Planned Parenthood ensures that women, men, and teens have access to reproductive health care services, regardless of income,” said PPMNS spokeswoman Kathi Di Nicola.

Today, one in four women who receives contraceptive care does so at a women’s health center.  One in six women who obtains a Pap test or a pelvic exam does so at a women’s health center, as do one-third of women who receive counseling, testing, or treatment for sexually transmitted infections, including HIV.  

“This basic health care is essential, particularly during difficult economic times, to give women the tools they need to protect and support their families,” Di Nicola said.

“Community health providers like Planned Parenthood serve as a critical entry point into the health care system for tens of thousands of Minnesotans. For many women, the only doctor or nurse they see is the one they visit at a health center like Planned Parenthood,” said Di Nicola.

The vast majority of care — more than 95 percent— offered by PPMNS is preventive and primary.  This includes contraception, routine gynecological exams, breast and cervical cancer screening, and STD/HIV testing.

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CONTACT:
Kathi Di Nicola
Director of Media Relations
(651) 755 - 9557
 

by Karina
Web Editor
Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota Action Fund

Recently, First Lady Michelle Obama addressed 140 women’s health advocates to discuss the importance of improving women’s health under health care reform.  She was dead on in summing up the issue of women’s health. Via the Uptake:

“…Eight in 10 women, mothers, report that they're the ones responsible for choosing their children's doctor, for getting them to their checkups, for managing that follow-up care. Women are the ones to do it.”

She also points out the tremendous disparities that women face in the health care coverage that they receive.

We all know that women are more likely to work part-time, or to work in small companies or businesses that don't provide any insurance at all. Women are affected because, as we heard, in many states, insurance companies can still discriminate because of gender. And this is still shocking to me. These are the kind of facts that still wake me up at night; that women in this country have been denied coverage because of preexisting conditions like having a C-section or having had a baby. In some states, it is still legal to deny a woman coverage because she's been the victim of domestic violence. And a recent study showed that 25-year-old women are charged up to 45 percent more for insurance than 25-year-old men for the exact same coverage. And as the age goes up, you get to 40, that disparity increases to 48 percent—48 percent difference for women for the exact same coverage in this country.

She continues:

But it's not just women without insurance, as we've heard, as we know who are affected. Plenty of women have insurance. But it doesn't cover basic women's health services like maternity care or preventative care like mammograms or pap smears, which we all know we have to have. We can't go without these basic services. But many insurance policies don't even cover it. Or policies cap the amount of coverage that you can receive, as you've heard, or it drops coverage when people get sick and they really need the care. Or maybe people have coverage but they're worried about losing it if they lose their jobs or if they change jobs or if the company changes insurance carriers.

For all of these reasons and more, Planned Parenthood is committed to ensuring that any health care reform package that passes improves women’s health.  As a primary health care provider for many women in our region, we see firsthand the effects this economic downturn is having on women.  Everyday, we encounter women who are delaying care or getting by with the bare minimum or have lost their jobs and insurance coverage. This has got to change. With so many voices out there in this huge and heated debate, Planned Parenthood is an advocate for women’s needs and we will not support any health care reform package that does not include comprehensive reproductive health coverage and confront the disparities that the First Lady addressed.

I am thrilled that our First Lady is speaking out on this crucial issue that is essential to improving the lives of women. She summed up the stakes perfectly:

If we want to achieve true equality for women, if that is our goal; if we want to ensure that women have opportunities that they deserve, if that is our goal; if we want women to be able to care for their families and pursue things that they could never imagine, then we have to reform the system. We have to reform the system. The status quo is unacceptable. It is holding women and families back, and we know it.

We CAN make sure that reform is passed, but we need your help! There are plenty of ways you can get involved—see below for details.

You can read the entire transcript of the First Lady’s speech here.
 

Looking for ways to get involved? 

1.     Tell us your story: Politicians need to hear real stories to understand the importance of improving women's health, so  we are collecting stories! Have you been to Planned Parenthood? Have you received free or affordable birth control? How about an annual exam, STI test, or a cervical cancer screening?  Tell us your story and why Planned Parenthood was an important health care provider for you.

2.    Write a Letter to the Editor: If you've been reading your local newspaper, you've probably noticed that there's an awful lot of crazy things being said about women's health, family planning, birth control, and abortion—- can you help us dispel the misinformation by writing a letter to the editor? Contact Sally at shassell@ppmns.org , so that we can contact you when come across a letter that requires a pro-choice response chock full of some good ol' fashioned facts. Contact Sally.

3.    Email Congress: and tell them that you won’t support health care reform that leaves women worse off than they are now. More info.

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by Karina
Web Editor
Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota Action Fund

Thanks to all those who attended!!

You can subscribe to our videos and audio podcasts by subscribing to our podcast in itunes. 

Looking for ways to get involved? 

1.     Tell us your story: Politicians need to hear real stories to understand the importance of improving women's health, so  we are collecting stories! Have you been to Planned Parenthood? Have you received free or affordable birth control? How about an annual exam, STI test, or a cervical cancer screening?  Tell us your story and why Planned Parenthood was an important health care provider for you.

2.    Write a Letter to the Editor: If you've been reading your local newspaper, you've probably noticed that there's an awful lot of crazy things being said about women's health, family planning, birth control, and abortion—- can you help us dispel the misinformation by writing a letter to the editor? Contact Sally at shassell@ppmns.org , so that we can contact you when come across a letter that requires a pro-choice response chock full of some good ol' fashioned facts. Contact Sally.

3.    Email Congress: and tell them that you won’t support health care reform that leaves women worse off than they are now. More info.

STAY CONNECTED

Minnesota

North Dakota

South Dakota

As a safety net provider to some of the region’s most economically vulnerable women and families, I’m always looking for ways to raise awareness of the need for affordable, accessible health care. So when the U.S. Census Bureau released its annual poverty numbers, it presented a natural opportunity to weigh in on the inequities facing many of the women Planned Parenthood serves.

The numbers from the report were grim.

Right here in Minnesota, incomes are dropping and poverty rates are increasing. The Pioneer Press's Jeremy Olson writes: "Household median income in the state dropped from $59,900 in the two-year period ending in 2006 to $57,600 in the two-year period ending in 2008"; meanwhile, the state's poverty rate "increased from 8.1 percent to 9.6 percent during those same periods."

But the picture appears to be worse than the data alone suggests. The Center for American Progress explains that while these numbers are alarming, they may not be a fully accurate depiction of the depth of poverty in Minnesota and across the U.S. Why? The numbers were compiled in 2008 and don’t reflect the current slump in the economy.  Additionally, unemployment has gone up, workers are staying unemployed longer and food stamp requests are growing.

Read the entire story here.

Additionally, many experts say that the federal poverty guidelines are woefully out of date, with measures that have not been adjusted for more than forty years and based solely on food costs. So the true scope of poverty in the U.S. is likely much more profound than even the Census report shows.

Planned Parenthood knows firsthand the effect the economic downturn and job loss have had on women across our region. We see women who have lost jobs and the insurance coverage that they rely upon putting off much- needed health care, women who are worried about being laid off opting for longer-term birth control and scrimping to afford the basic health care that many of us take for granted.

Consider this:

• •    In 2007, one-quarter (25%) of women reported delaying or skipping health care because of cost.
• •    Uninsured women are at least two times more likely than insured women to not fill a prescription due to cost.
• •    Uninsured women are more than twice as likely as those with insurance to have not received a pap test in the last year.

The plain truth is that economic status should not determine a woman’s health or her fate. The disparities experienced by uninsured women are intolerable.

The Census report highlights the need for meaningful health care reform. As Congress prepares to tackle the issue, they must address the needs of women. True health care reform must include access to affordable health care services for all women, including comprehensive reproductive health care, regardless of income. It must include coverage for basic, preventive health care and protections for trusted safety net providers on whom women depend for their care, particularly given the shortage of primary care providers in rural communities.

Health care reform can help level the playing field for women who have been overlooked for too long. Simply put, women must not be left out of the most important public policy discussion of a generation. As a leading provider of health care for women and families, we are committed to making certain their voices are heard.

All women must have access to the health care they need to build healthier, brighter futures regardless of the ability to pay. It’s a core principal that defines Planned Parenthood and drives our work in communities across the region. And it’s a conversation we intend to continue during what may be the most important public policy discussion of our time.
 

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CONTACT:
Kathi Di Nicola
Director of Media Relations
(651) 755 - 9557