Archive for the ‘Planned Parenthood’ Category

Having a good friend stand up for you feels amazing.  They achieve hero status in your eyes.  We’ve been extremely lucky over the past year to have literally tens of thousands of friends stand up for us.  From the 17,000 Stand with Planned Parenthood petition signers to a long list of legislative heros like Rep. Adams, Rep. Parfitt, Rep. Glazier, Rep. Cotham, Rep. Insko, Rep. Bordsen, Rep. Ross, Rep. Graham, Rep. Farmer-Butterfield, Rep. Alexander, Sen. Garrou, Sen. Stein, Sen. Mansfield, Sen. Purcell, Sen. Robinson, Sen. Kinnaird.  AND of course, the Governor, Bev Perdue.

Somer Cooper,a supporter who recently met Governor Perdue,  reminds us to hold out hope.   Read more of her blog.

Governor Purdue happened to be seated in front of me on the bus. I took the opportunity and leaned forward,

“Governor Purdue, I’m a North Carolina native and would like to thank you for all of your efforts and attempts to keep Planned Parenthood funded. I can only imagine how disheartening this has been for you. For all of you in the midst of these budget negotiations.”

She smiled with a flinch of pain on her face and softly replied with a thank you. And proceeded to talk about how challenging it has been.

Planned Parenthood released the following statement in response to today’s vote to overide the Governor’s veto of HB854.

Today’s vote reveals that some legislators care more about scoring political points than they do about protecting women’s rights and health.  They are so extreme that they refused to even allow exceptions for rape, incest, or when something has gone terribly wrong with the pregnancy.  We urge all North Carolinians who value reproductive rights and health to remember this vote in November of next year.

Planned Parenthood will take all necessary steps to reduce the negative impact this intrusive legislation will have on our patients.  We will continue to provide compassionate, non-judgemental health services to women who need them.

press contact: Paige Johnson, 919-618-3899 
to support Planned Parenthood: donate

One of the reasons I love going to my gym is to look at other women’s bodies. This probably isn’t for the reasons you’re thinking. I’m not moved by the sinewy, perfectly sculpted types. I’ll admit they’re interesting but frankly they’re predictable.

I was raised on perfection in Seventeen Magazine. Really, I’ve seen enough of Phoebe Cates.  

No, I’m much more inspired by the seventy something year old grandmother who requires a cane but comes to the swimming pool every single day to get in her laps. I’m smitten by a woman, pushing eighty, who easily outpaces me in the pool and teaches ballroom dancing in the evenings.

I’m often moved to tears when one of these legends returns from sickness or surgery to the kind of fanfare most often reserved for heroes. Rare in the outside world is the kind of camaraderie I see these women show for each other.

My gym is county supported and adjacent to our senior citizen center. It is a microcosm of the world I’d like to live in where women’s bodies are not about competition, envy or disdain. They are celebrated and cherished not for squeezing into a size six but for powering their owners. The women I watch say nothing about losing weight but instead focus on staying strong. Showing up for tomorrow’s swim is the goal.

Their bodies are plump, scrawny, jiggly, scarred, beautiful, shapely machines that move them through the water and beyond.  I can’t help but feel inspired.

I remember when I was first finding my feminist footing. I read a chapter in Gloria Steinem’s Outrageous Acts and Everyday Rebellions aptly title, “In Praise of Women’s Bodies.” It was all about women’s lack of exposure to real female bodies in locker rooms and such. 

In my high school days, girl power just didn’t exist. Most women I knew aspired to be cheerleaders, effectively standing on the sidelines cheering the boys rather than picking up the ball themselves.  Steinem’s words shook my world and challenged everything I’d ever thought.

Of course, I didn’t stop magically wishing I was thinner, taller or able to eat all that I want with abandon. But I did start looking for and appreciating women’s real bodies.

So much has changed in subsequent decades but we are still spoon fed images of perfection in air-brushed magazines and on television. We still live in a media world that reflects a smidgeon of the kind of bodies women really have, to say nothing of our lives.  

When I’m fed up, I lose myself in swimming. Afterwards, I linger a little longer than I should in the dressing room, watching and listening to women talk about upcoming family trips, caring for partners and grandchildren, dinner plans, knee replacement surgery and shopping.

No one seems self-conscious or to mind my watching. But, then again, that’s the point. We’re all just women, momentarily at least, comfortable in our skin.

Yesterday the Institute of Medicine (IOM) released its recommendation (more than a year in the making) that prescription birth control should be covered by health insurance with no cost-sharing for patients. 

As we’ve written before this is thanks to the Affordable Care Act (aka health care reform) which requires preventative services for women to be fully covered by insurance companies with no co-pays. The recommendations of the independent IOM cited eight women’s health care services that should be fully covered including annual “well-woman” visits, screening for sexually transmitted diseases, and, of course, prescription birth control

This is great news for the more than 98 percent of sexually active women who will use some form of birth control during their childbearing years. Bad news for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and others who hold women and their ability to control their own bodies in the same low regard.

It’s unfortunate, but not surprising, this recommendation is attracting controversy. As reported by NPR the Conference of Catholic Bishops (widely noted as medical experts on women’s health…) stated that “”to prevent pregnancy is not to prevent a disease.”

The IOM flatly rejected this claim that birth control is not primary, preventative health care by pointing out that spacing pregnancy and births has advantages for women, babies and families. They went on to say, “Women with unintended pregnancies are more likely to receive delayed or no prenatal care and to smoke, consume alcohol, be depressed, and experience domestic violence during pregnancy, the panel wrote. “Unintended pregnancy also increases the risk of babies being born preterm or at a low birth weight, both of which raise their chances of health and developmental problems.”

Rock on IOM. But who, or what, are you anyway? A lot of people are probably asking that same question so here’s the Cliff Notes version—the Institute of Medicine is an independent, non-profit organization that is made up of medical professionals which “serves as an advisor to the nation to improve health.” The IOM is often called upon by Congress or other governmental entities (in this case it was the Department of Health and Human Services) to make recommendations on health and health care policy that is unbiased and informed by the best research and medical science available. 

In short: boring name, VERY prestigious group. You can read their women’s preventative service report brief here. Make sure to check out the last page to learn about the people who actually made up the panel that released these recommendations. I hope it won’t hurt anyone’s feelings when I say they have slightly more women’s health expertise than the Catholic Bishops.

So where does that leave us? The IOM studied this issue and made recommendations at the request of DHHS and Kathleen Sebelius who will now get to make her own recommendation based on (or not, if she so chooses) the IOM analysis. Ultimately, the final say is up to the Obama administration who can then choose to accept or reject the recommendation of DHHS.

The bottom line is that we’re a lot closer than we were to birth control with no co-pays and that’s great news considering that 50 percent of pregnancies in the US are unintended and that high cost of contraceptives is frequently the reason women cite for not using it.

BUT don’t run down to the pharmacy demanding a free pack quite yet!  There is still a long road ahead and we need your help to get there! Sign our petition to let DHHS and the Obama administration know that Birth Control Matters to millions of women and that it matters to YOU!

We’ve all done it and lived to regret it. Last night I went down the rabbit hole of comments posted in response to the news about our filing suit against North Carolina for singling out Planned Parenthood and banning us from doing business with the state.  

Aside from the nut jobs that refuse to admit Planned Parenthood provides health care, there were two strands of comments that made me a bit crazy. Several people seemed genuinely baffled as to why we were shocked to have been cut. Let me say for the record, we wouldn’t have been shocked had we simply been cut. I mean, we’re all aware of the devastating cuts wreaked on education by the new legislative majority.  

So, no, we’re not suing because our funding was reduced. We’re suing because we were BANNED from doing business with the state in a purely political move by the new legislative majority despite a gubernatorial veto.

Here’s the exact language:

Prohibit Use of All Funds for Planned Parenthood Organizations

For FY 2011-2012 and FY 2012-2013, the Department of Health and Human Services may not provide State fund or other funds administered by the Department for contracts and grants to Planned Parenthood, Inc and affiliated organizations.

The other strand that made me a little bonkers were those who seem to have a “let them eat cake” approach to women in need of annual exams, birth control and lifesaving cancer screenings (aka basic health care for women in their childbearing years).

They suggested women could just go to the local health department. Aside from my suspicion that few of these virtual commentators get their health care from a health department, they seem clueless as to the wait involved in such an endeavor.

When the Planned Parenthood ban was first introduced in the NC House, we called health departments in cities where Planned Parenthood provides health services to see how long a new patient would have to wait for birth control. Waiting periods, in general, for a new family planning patient spanned from one month to three. A woman could be well into her first trimester of a pregnancy by this time.

In most cases, Planned Parenthood can see a woman who calls the same day or week. We’re also open on Saturdays and evenings—additional access not always available through health departments.

Proven access, in fact, is a major reason why Planned Parenthood won competitive state grants to deliver family planning services to women time and time again.

I’m not knocking health departments. There wasn’t a Planned Parenthood where I grew up so I got my first pack of pills from the health department. I’m grateful they were there.

The issue isn’t Planned Parenthood vs. health departments. We’re partners in making sure that women with little or no health coverage receive quality health care. Simply put, most health departments are at capacity. They do not have the ability to serve more patients. And, NC House Health and Human Services Chair Rep. Nelson Dollar couldn’t care less. Without ever addressing current waiting periods or other barriers to women seeking health care, Dollar cavalierly suggests Planned Parenthood patients can just go to their health department.  But, then, again, Dollar and his ilk like waiting periods and barriers for women seeking health care.

Oops, that’s another topic.

I know facts matter little to some vitriolic commentators out there but, friends, if you are inclined, help us by posting the truth. North Carolina’s new legislative majority cares far more about politics than women’s lives and that’s my final comment.

Janet Colm
CEO& President

In response to Gevernor Perdue’s veto of HB854, Rep. Ruth Samuelson, primary sponsor of the bill, issued the following statement,

“We are now in a minority of states that require no special informed consent for abortion and that is shameful, especially with a female governor. Having come this far in leadership, Gov. Perdue should have even greater respect for the ability of women to make careful choices when given adequate information. Yet, she made no attempt to work with us in this effort to make abortion safer and rarer, a goal even many abortion advocates support.”

Here’s my response to Ruth:

It’s been months since I boarded the charter bus to Washington DC with Planned Parenthood to lobby and rally against the proposed budget cuts on Planned Parenthood’s services. We were a flood of hot pink on the Mall. We were successful.

Since then, we’ve fought at the state level. The General Assembly passed the state budget, Governor Perdue vetoed it, and the General Assembly overrode her veto. The General Assembly passed HB 854, and it was vetoed days ago by Governor Perdue. And Planned Parenthood supporters and volunteers have been fighting every step of the way.

We’ve participated in the Truth Tour, Days of Action, have personally delivered letters and cards of support to Governor Perdue, have sent emails by the hundreds of gratitude and disappointment to our legislators.

If you have personal memories of any of these events, thank you. But the fight is not over yet.

Now’s your chance to show your support:

Although Governor Perdue vetoed HB 854, the General Assembly has the opportunity to override her veto. Show your support for reproductive justice by participating in the phone bank next week in Raleigh or Chapel Hill. The General Assembly may make this decision on July 13. In anticipation, Planned Parenthood supporters will call pro-choice advocates across the state and patch them through to their respective legislators, urging their legislators to sustain Governor Perdue’s veto.

The phone bank will take place on Thursday, (7/7/2011) from 5:30 to 8:00pm at the Planned Parenthood in Raleigh (100 S. Boylan Ave, Raleigh NC) and in Chapel Hill (1765 Dobbins Dr, Chapel Hill NC).We use the calls as a way to reach supporters and patch them through directly to the their representative’s line. After finishing a two-hour shift of calling, we regroup to celebrate that our volunteers have called hundreds of NC voters and have patched through many constituents who may not have called otherwise.

If you’re concerned about rudeness on the other end of the line, the majority of people on the other end of my line are polite, and sometimes even amusing. (One elderly woman launched into a 5-minute conversation about a volunteer program she recently started leading. Another person told me a story about their pets.) If you’ve never phone banked before, training will be provided. (In fact, volunteers don’t even place the calls; the computer does).

If you’re interested in phone banking next week or are interested or in learning what you can do, contact Patricia Dillon at patricia.dillon@pphsinc.org.

If you’re busy or phone banking isn’t your thing, you can still show your support for Planned Parenthood and reproductive justice. Email, call, or write your representative. Don’t know who they are? Find out here. Encourage your friends to do the same!

If you Love Planned Parenthood, then Stand with Planned Parenthood!

Twice this month, I have been in a small meeting with Bev Perdue, our Governor.  Honestly, I found myself to be a little star struck - I mean, this is the most powerful woman in North Carolina! 

I found it hard to say anything at that first meeting.   It was June 1st, the Day of Action for Women’s Health, and our Planned Parenthood team met with the Governor. I was there to document and share the experiences of the day with our advocates.   We delivered more than 17,000 signatures we’d gathered in support of Planned Parenthood and against the state funding ban.  Even though she was flying out to meet with President Obama, the Governor took the time to receive our petition and letters of support.  She was so gracious and kind and posed for pictures with our group.

And then this past Monday, June 27th, our office got a call from the Governor’s office.  We were invited to watch as the Governor took action on HB854.  We met in Greensboro and it was with great pleasure that we watched as some of our best legislative allies entered the room, Representatives Alma Adams and Pricey Harrison, as well as Senator Don Vaughan.  

It was quite a thrill to see her staff setting up the large VETO stamp with ink pad, the communication about the bill, and pens to sign.  I went in full on tourist mode and snapped several photos of the stamp and the letter from the Governor.

When Governor Perdue entered the room, she greeted each person with a warm hello, a hug or handshake, and a thank you.  She has gotten to know a number of our staff over the years and thanked them for the work they do on behalf on NC’s women.  

It is our great fortune to have a Governor who will stand up for women and children and against this extreme governmental intrusion into doctor-patient relationship.  As the Governor rightly stated, “Physicians must be free to advise and treat their patients based on their medical knowledge and expertise and not have their advice overridden by elected officials seeking to impose their own ideological agenda on others.”

As her hand came down with the VETO stamp, I felt chills.  I’m lovin’ the Governor!

Let’s show the Governor some love, call and thank her (800) 662-7952 or (919) 733-2391 or email her.

Planned Parenthood is proud to support national Pride Month.   We respect the diversity of all people and are encouraged by the progress made towards full equality.  We are proud to participate each year in NC’s Pride Parade.  Here are some photos from last year’s march.

Planned Parenthood is here to serve the sexual health care needs of all and to support access to care for all.  We want to remind all of our LGBTQI supporters and clients to take pride in their health! 

Resources

• Gay and Lesbian Medical Association
• National Coalition for LGBT Health
• LGBT Center of Raleigh
• Get involved! Learn more from Equality NC

Remember

At PPCNC. we treat each of our patients with dignity and respect regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.  Some of the services we provide include:

Women’s services:

• Annual pelvic exams
• Breast exams and Pap tests
• STD testing and treatment
• HIV testing and education

Men’s services:

• STD testing and treatment
• HIV testing and education
• Testicular cancer screenings
• Education and referral

Find a health center online.
Planned Parenthood believes that sexuality should be celebrated. 

We’re here to care for every person, every family, and every community.

We look forward to NC’s Pride Parade scheduled for September 24, 2011.  If you’d like to help us organize for our presence in the parade, comment here or email Mitchell.Price@ppcentralnc.org.