Planned Parenthood Advocate

President Obama Reaffirms Commitment to Women’s Access to Birth Control; Fight Continues in Congress

In the face of an outrageous assault on women’s health, the Obama administration has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring all women will have access to birth control coverage, with no costly co-pays and no additional hurdles, no matter where they work.

“Our number one concern is making sure women have access to basic health care, including access to contraception, and Obama’s announcement today means that all women will have that access no matter where they work or who their employer is,” said Sarah Stoesz, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota (PPMNS). “The compliance mechanism does not compromise a woman’s ability to access critical birth control benefits.”

A Huge Victory for Women!

After a massive outpouring of concern from Planned Parenthood supporters, President Obama has rejected efforts to cut off access to birth control for millions of women! Sign our thank-you card to President Obama.

Today United States Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius/the Obama administration announced that it will make no changes to the birth control coverage benefit under the Affordable Care Act. This decision is grounded in sound medical science and health policy and protects access to affordable birth control for millions of women, including women who are employed by a religiously affiliated hospital, university, or other religiously affiliated organization that serves the broader public.

Birth control is not just basic health care for women; it is an economic concern. This commonsense decision means that millions of women who would otherwise pay $15 to $50 a month will have access to affordable birth control, helping them save hundreds of dollars each year.

This benefit does not require that anyone dispense or use birth control.  It is simply a benefit that ensures women have adequate health insurance coverage that includes affordable birth control.

This policy represents one of the greatest advancements for women’s health in decades and ensures that millions of women will have access to affordable birth control. Thank you President Obama! Sign our thank-you card today.

Franken expresses disappointment over HHS Plan B Decision

Senator Franken is on a roll! Not only has he been a strong supporter of birth control with no co-pays for all women, he has continued to show his dedication to reproductive health issues by expressing his disappointment with the HHS decision to maintain the status quo on the availability of emergency contraception.

>Thank Senator Franken for taking a stand on EC

Franken joined several Senate colleagues in signing on to a letter to HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. The letter questions the rationale for choosing to ignore the FDA's recommendation to make emergency contraception available over-the-counter without an age restriction. The Senators write:

Back up your Birth Control

With New Year’s Eve just around the corner, chances are you’re solidifying plans and laying out the perfect outfit to welcome in 2012. Maybe you’ve gotten tickets to a party or started a to-do list for the one you’re hosting. Perhaps you’re thinking about laying a kiss on someone at midnight. We’re here to remind you to add birth control back up to that list.

If you can text your grandma on New Year’s, there’s a good chance wilder things can happen…and unless you want New Year’s 2012  following you around (for the next 18 years), you should be prepared.

Online Health Center Offers Convenience This Holiday Season

With all the crazy going on this holiday season, a lot of us choose to do our shopping online, and we don’t blame you! That’s why Planned Parenthood offers an Online Health Center, where you can request a refill, have a virtual office visit, pay your bill, make an appointment, or ask a nurse a question.

Step One: Create an account. It takes about 30 seconds to enter in your information and then you are able to do the following:

 

Request a refill

Select a pick up location. Go pick it up!

Virtual Office Visit

For $25 you can obtain a three month-supply of birth control without having to visit a clinic for your appointment. Perfect for the holiday time crunch!

Pay your bill           

Forget snail mail. Get tech savvy with us and pay your bill online.

Make an appointment

Schedule an appointment hassle free. No holds or elevator music!

Ask a Nurse

Have a question? Not sure if you should make an appointment? Submit any question you may have to a nurse. They will respond within 24-48 hours! 

Check out our Online Health Center today, and get on track for the New Year!