by guest blogger: Karen Grove in California<\/p>\n
Dear Pro-Choice Friends and Neighbors,<\/p>\n
So much has been going on lately, I wanted to share with all of you with some key information, resources, and actions to take.\u00a0 Apologies for the length of this post.\u00a0 There is so much to say! Pence Amendment to the Continuing Resolution (H.R. 1):<\/strong> Repealing Health Care Reform (H.R. 2):<\/strong> The Smith Bill (H.R. 3):<\/strong> <\/a> How you can help:<\/strong><\/p>\n Be visible – Wear a Silver Ribbon to show you Trust Women: www.oursilverribbon.org<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Contact legislators<\/strong> Letters to the Editor<\/strong> Stay informed.<\/strong><\/p>\n Information is power!\u00a0 Please consider joining these groups\u2019 email lists, to stay informed and participate in grassroots actions that only take a moment of your time, such as signing petitions:<\/p>\n Center for Reproductive Rights<\/a><\/p>\n National Network of Abortion Funds<\/a><\/p>\n NARAL<\/a><\/p>\n Planned Parenthood Action Fund (the political arm of PPFA)<\/a><\/p>\n RH Reality Check<\/a><\/p>\n Trust Women Month\/Silver Ribbon Campaign<\/a> Make a 501c4 (non tax-deductible) donation to support Planned Parenthood’s advocacy work (they are working their butts off these days!): \u00a0Here are the links to donate to\u00a0PPAF<\/a> (mostly federal) and\u00a0PPAMM<\/a> (mostly state and local) The\u00a0Planned Parenthood Peninsula Breakfast<\/a> returns, March 3rd<\/sup> 8:30 am, in Atherton.\u00a0\u00a0Get your tickets, buy a table, or sponsor the event with a donation,\u00a0here: <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" 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.\u00a0 Apologies for the length … Continue reading
\nAt the Federal Level:<\/span><\/strong>
\nGiving life to the expression, \u201cDon\u2019t tell me what you believe.\u00a0 Show me what you do, and I\u2019ll tell you what you believe,\u201d the new GOP-controlled congress (which ran on the promise of jobs) has made attacks on women\u2019s access to abortion and family planning their number on priority.<\/p>\n
\nWould eliminate Title X (Title \u201cten\u201d — 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<\/strong> primary and preventive care.
\nThis statement captures the absurdity of this effort:
\n\u201cThe 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.\u00a0 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.\u201dFederal 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]<\/a>.
\nTitle X services prevent nearly one million unintended pregnancies each year, almost half of which would otherwise end in abortion.
\nPlease see Cecile Richards\u2019 statement opposing H.R. 1 at the Planned Parenthood website<\/a>.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
\nDisproportionately harms women.\u00a0 See the “Onion” for a funny parody<\/a>!<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
\nWould 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\u2019s health when threatened by complications with later-term, wanted pregnancies.
\nFor 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.<\/a><\/p>\n
\nThe ironically titled \u201cProtect Life Act\u201d (H.R.\u00a0 358):<\/strong>
\nWould allow hospitals that receive federal funds to refuse to provide abortions, even when an abortion is necessary to save a woman\u2019s life (more info here<\/a>).<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
\nCall or ask to meet with\u00a0any legislators you have connections to.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 Personal stories help our allies support us in Congress!
\nIf you have friends and relatives in other parts of the country, please ask for their help in speaking with their legislators.
\nClick here for Planned Parenthood’s call-in tool<\/a>, with talking points, but don\u2019t forget your personal story!<\/p>\n
\nWrite 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.<\/p>\n
\n Spread the word<\/strong>
\nShare this information with family and friends in other regions, via email, Facebook, lunch-time conversations\u2026whatever medium you like to use!
\n Donate to support advocacy work<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nAt the Local Level:
\nPPMM is expanding our service area to include San Mateo and Alameda counties.\u00a0 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:
\nhttp:\/\/ppfa.convio.net\/site\/PageServer?pagename=ca_ppmm_sign_up<\/a>
\nhttp:\/\/www.facebook.com\/pages\/Planned-Parenthood-Mar-Monte\/11927433507<\/a><\/p>\n