Planned Parenthood Advocate

Senator introduces bill to cover abortion for Peace Corps volunteers

On Thursday Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) introduced a bill that will expand healthcare coverage for Peace Corps volunteers to include access to abortion. The Peace Corps Equity Act will ensure that abortion in the cases of rape, incest, and life endangerment will be covered.

Of all Peace Corps volunteers, 62 percent are women. Many work in countries where quality health care is not readily available. Unfortunately, hundreds of cases of rape and sexual assault have been perpetrated against volunteers over the last decade.

For many years, Congress has barred the Peace Corps from providing abortion coverage to its volunteers without exception. A similar ban for military servicewomen existed until 2012, when President Obama signed a bill broadened their coverage to include abortion in cases of rape or incest. The Peace Corps Equity Act would expand upon that policy, allowing Peace Corps volunteers the access to healthcare most women under federal government health plans already have.

We applaud the efforts of Sen. Lautenberg in speaking out for Peace Corps volunteers as civil servants.

 

- by Shieva, Web Correspondent, Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota Action Fund

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North Dakota’s constitutional amendment that puts Personhood on the ballot in 2014 goes far beyond just banning abortion--it could ban some forms of birth control and IVF. Help us fight back by sharing your story with us today.

We need to help educate the public in North Dakota  about everything this amendment could affect.

And we need your help in doing so.

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Personal stories are the best way to show the public what is really in jeopardy with this amendment.

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ND Governor Dalrymple Signs Virtual Abortion Ban

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

3/26/13

 

Governor Dalrymple Signs Virtual Abortion Ban;

North Dakota Braces for Litigation as “Personhood” Heads to 2014 Ballot

Fargo, ND – Today, Governor Dalrymple signed a near total abortion ban into law, effectively making North Dakota one of the most hostile states in the country towards women’s health. Governor Dalrymple secured North Dakota’s place in history as the state with the most extreme ban on abortion by signing one bill that will ban safe and legal abortion as early as 6 weeks — before a woman may even know she is pregnant. There are no exceptions if a woman has been the victim of rape, if her health is threatened, or if she will lose the pregnancy due to fetal anomalies. This comes on the heels of last week’s actions by the North Dakota Legislature which launched the state into a bitter, 20-month battle over “personhood” leading up to the 2014 election. Planned Parenthood will work in partnership with a broad coalition of doctors, patients, teachers, lawyers and others to educate our fellow North Dakotans about the far-reaching consequences and impact of “personhood.”

 

The following is a statement by Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota President and CEO, Sarah Stoesz.

“With his signature, today Governor Dalrymple severely compromised the health and well-being of all North Dakota women and their families.”

 

“This sweeping package of bills will not stand up to constitutional scrutiny. But as a result of North Dakota’s leaders’ disregard for women’s health, the state will endure months and years of drawn-out litigation costing taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars. What a reckless and appalling waste of resources.”

 

“One thing became clear during the last few weeks: North Dakotans do not want to see politicians interfering with the personal medical decisions of women. Hundreds of grassroots activists spoke loudly and clearly as these bills moved through the legislature. Planned Parenthood was proud to play a role in amplifying the voices of North Dakotans who bravely stood in opposition to this abortion ban.”

 

“What’s left of the legislature’s all-out assault on women’s health is what will no doubt be a grueling, months-long battle over “personhood” leading up to the 2014 election. “Personhood” measures are so extreme even the most conservative states, like Mississippi, have rejected them. North Dakotans know that decisions about pregnancy and abortion are deeply personal and very complex. The grassroots uprising we saw in Bismarck and Fargo was just a taste of what’s to come as voters in the state learn about the dangers of this constitutional amendment. In 2014, North Dakotans will have the opportunity to stand up to these politicians and say ‘enough is enough.’”

 

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UN Declares Access to Contraception a Human Right

For the first time, the U.N. Population Fund’s (UNFPA) annual report, released November 14, explicitly declares family planning, including access to contraception, a universal human right.  In keeping with the UNFPA's mission to create “a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled,” this report examines both the financial and social repercussions of decreased access to contraception.

The report identifies 222 million women in developing countries as having an unmet need for voluntary family planning.  According to the UNFPA, an investment of $4.1 billion in funding to allow everyone in developing countries access to family planning would result in an annual $11.3 billion reduction in costs for maternal and newborn health.  The UN also points out a correlation between accessible family planning, increased productivity and the resulting improvements to a region’s economy.

Increased voluntary family planning access is not just an issue of economics.  Dr. Osotimehin states, “Family planning is not a privilege, but a right.  Yet, too many women – and men – are denied this human right.”  The UNFPA’s annual report identifies a number health and social factors impacted by this unmet need, including high rates of unintended pregnancy and HIV, increased infant mortality, decreased ability to attain an education and gender inequality.  According to Dr. Babatunde, Executive Director of the UNFPA, “Not only does the ability for a couple to choose when and how many children to have help lift nations out of poverty, but it is also one of the most effective means of empowering women.”

Planned Parenthood has always understood how fundamental family planning is to the wellbeing of women. In Minnesota, Planned Parenthood is proud to offer no-cost birth control for qualifying women through the 4NOW program.  4NOW also covers the cost of annual exams, emergency contraception, STI screenings and more!  Planned Parenthood accepts most kinds of insurance, and our doors are open to everyone, regardless of ability to pay.

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By Kelly, Web Correspondent, Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota Action Fund

Senate Committee bans Presidents from playing politics with international family planning programs

Last week, the Senate Appropriations Committee adopted an ammendment to a bill that, if signed into law, will block re-imposition of the Mexico City Policy, also known as the Global Gag Rule.

The amendment, introduced by Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), would mean that future presidents will not have the authority to refuse funding to foreign NGOs that provide advice, counseling or information regarding abortion, or that lobby a foreign government to legalize or make abortion available.