by guest blogger: Karen Grove in California
Dear Pro-Choice Friends and Neighbors,
So much has been going on lately, I wanted to share with all of you with some key information, resources, and actions to take. Apologies for the length of this post. There is so much to say!
At the Federal Level:
Giving life to the expression, “Don’t tell me what you believe. Show me what you do, and I’ll tell you what you believe,” the new GOP-controlled congress (which ran on the promise of jobs) has made attacks on women’s access to abortion and family planning their number on priority.
Pence Amendment to the Continuing Resolution (H.R. 1):
Would eliminate Title X (Title “ten” — the 40 year old federal program that funds family planning for low-income women), and deny all other sources of federal funding to Planned Parenthood, even for primary and preventive care.
This statement captures the absurdity of this effort:
“The real impact of eliminating the Title X program is that millions of women across the country will lose access to basic primary and preventive health care, such as lifesaving cancer screenings, contraception, STI testing and treatment, and annual exams. In fact, six in ten women who access care from a family planning health center consider it to be their main source of health care.”Federal programs for family planning are already woefully underfunded, reaching only half of the 17.5 million women in need of publicly funded family planning service [Amnesty International USA’s report on maternal health care crisis in the USA].
Title X services prevent nearly one million unintended pregnancies each year, almost half of which would otherwise end in abortion.
Please see Cecile Richards’ statement opposing H.R. 1 at the Planned Parenthood website.
Repealing Health Care Reform (H.R. 2):
Disproportionately harms women. See the “Onion” for a funny parody!
The Smith Bill (H.R. 3):
Would expand and make permanent, the already unfair restrictions on federal funding of abortion for low-income women, and would use personal and business tax policy changes to effectively bar any insurance policy (including those paid for with personal funds) from covering abortion, even to protect a woman’s health when threatened by complications with later-term, wanted pregnancies.
For an analysis of the effect of the current (since 1977), already unfair ban on federal funding for abortion, I recommend this article from the Center for American Progress: A Right Denied: The Hyde Amendment Violates Women’s Civil Rights.
The ironically titled “Protect Life Act” (H.R. 358):
Would allow hospitals that receive federal funds to refuse to provide abortions, even when an abortion is necessary to save a woman’s life (more info here).
How you can help:
Be visible – Wear a Silver Ribbon to show you Trust Women: www.oursilverribbon.org
Contact legislators
Call or ask to meet with any legislators you have connections to. Tell them your personal story of why Planned Parenthood (or any other publicly funded family planning provider) is, or has been, important to you or someone you know. Personal stories help our allies support us in Congress!
If you have friends and relatives in other parts of the country, please ask for their help in speaking with their legislators.
Click here for Planned Parenthood’s call-in tool, with talking points, but don’t forget your personal story!
Letters to the Editor
Write a letter to the editor about the importance of the vital health services provided by Planned Parenthood and other publicly funded family planning service providers.
Stay informed.
Information is power! Please consider joining these groups’ email lists, to stay informed and participate in grassroots actions that only take a moment of your time, such as signing petitions:
Center for Reproductive Rights
National Network of Abortion Funds
Planned Parenthood Action Fund (the political arm of PPFA)
Trust Women Month/Silver Ribbon Campaign
Spread the word
Share this information with family and friends in other regions, via email, Facebook, lunch-time conversations…whatever medium you like to use!
Donate to support advocacy work
Make a 501c4 (non tax-deductible) donation to support Planned Parenthood’s advocacy work (they are working their butts off these days!): Here are the links to donate to PPAF (mostly federal) and PPAMM (mostly state and local)
At the Local Level:
PPMM is expanding our service area to include San Mateo and Alameda counties. To stay informed about local Planned Parenthood service delivery, and to support local advocacy efforts (such ashelping us open a new health center in Redwood City), please join our emaillist and Facebook page:
http://ppfa.convio.net/site/PageServer?pagename=ca_ppmm_sign_up
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Planned-Parenthood-Mar-Monte/11927433507
The Planned Parenthood Peninsula Breakfast returns, March 3rd 8:30 am, in Atherton. Get your tickets, buy a table, or sponsor the event with a donation, here: