Planned Parenthood Advocate

STI Rates in Minnesota on the Rise

It’s no secret to most Minnesotans that sexually transmitted disease (STDs) are a big problem for communities across our state. What is surprising is that despite national efforts to raise awareness around the STD epidemic, encourage annual testing, and educate the public about prevention, more and more Minnesotans are getting STDs every year.

Last month, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) released its annual report on STDs. According to MDH, the overall rate of STDs in Minnesota has increased by 10% since 2011, with a 7% increase in Chlamydia, a 35% increase in gonorrhea, and a 15% decrease in syphilis. Adolescents, women between the ages of fifteen and twenty-four, and African-Americans are disproportionately effected by these trends.

These statistics are alarming. When left untreated, STDs can cause serious damage to women’s reproductive organs, leading to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), pregnancy complications, even infertility. In men, STIs can spread, causing pain, and in rare cases, infertility. What’s especially troublesome is that many STDs exhibit no symptoms until the infection becomes serious. For this reason, it is so important to use preventive measures like condoms, and to get tested for STDs at least once a year. It is apparent that campaigns like  Get Yourself Tested (GYT)  are critical to expanding awareness around this major public health challenge. GYT is a national campaign that takes place during the month of April, aimed at raising awareness about STDs, de-stigmatizing discussion of STDs, and encouraging the sexually active to get tested regularly.

Quick, easy, and affordable healthcare is also crucial. Many of Planned Parenthood’s clinics are open 7 days a week making it easy and convenient to find a time to get tested. Planned Parenthood accepts insurance but also has low or no cost testing and treatment options for those who are eligible. You can call 1.800.230.PLAN, or request an appointment online. You can also locate a clinic near you.

Read more about STDs and the annual report at Patch.com.

by Lauren, Web Correspondent, Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota

Planned Parenthood's Next Generation takes first step

Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota recently hosted its inaugural Born After Roe event – an initiative aimed at introducing the next generation of supporters and advocates to the organization through conversation, connections and education. Read one participants take on the event:

 

I have often heard that women (and men for that matter) in their 20's and 30's are complacent, and that we are not taking up the banner of reproductive rights.  This assertion is very frustrating for me.  Most of the people I surround myself with are deeply concerned with healthcare access and standing up against restrictions on reproductive freedom, but their commitment manifests itself differently than in previous generations.  Social media in particular has changed the way that myself and my peers advocate.  Every time I log into Facebook I get the latest from my favorite social justice activists and my most well informed friends.  I use my own internet presence to spread information on threats to reproductive rights, and to articulate my own feelings.  As a result I am both very connected to an under 30 reproductive rights movement and very isolated from it. 

It’s because of all of these reasons that I chose to attend the inaugural Born After Roe: Planned Parenthood’s Next Generation event on May 22 in downtown Minneapolis. Billed as an ‘advocacy salon’ where young women (and men) could come together in a safe space for the purpose of conversation, story sharing and learning about advocacy, this sounded like the perfect step from online to offline activism.

Born After Roe was indeed a social network - a tangible, live, social network.  At this event I ran into friends that I had never connected with about this type of work, and met new people knowing that we shared a common passion, but that their reasons for engaging with it were different than mine.  Even though I am very plugged into the reproductive rights community, this event left me with greater certainty that this generation cares, and that I do not support this cause in a silo. 

This initiative is a fantastic opportunity to spread ideas and information about reproductive issues.  I hope future gatherings feature in depth talks about the challenges facing abortion rights, the policy around comprehensive sex education, the future of birth control access, and, perhaps most importantly, I hope there continues to be strong and personal dialogue between the amazing people who come to these events.  - Kate Steir, Planned Parenthood volunteer

Sound like something you’d want to attend? Email advocacy@ppmns.org to receive updates on future events, including a summer messaging training and a winter intergenerational speed dating event!

New fact sheet on Obamacare to educate Minnesotans on life-saving benefits

A new poll from the Kaiser Family Foundation shows that half of Americans don’t know how the Affordable Care Act will benefit them. Moreover, 42% of Americans don’t know that the ACA is an effective law.  

In our efforts to educate Minnesotans, we’ve assembled a go-to guide on the reproductive healthcare services that will be covered under the ACA. Find our fact sheet here


Under the Obamacare legislation, 900,000 Minnesota women will have expanded access to preventive health services –including well-woman visits (annual exams), family planning, and breast-feeding support –with no co-pays. The nearly 500,000 Minnesotans who are uninsured will gain access to the healthcare they need.

Thanks to the ACA, women will have improved access to birth control. And insurance companies will no longer be able to discriminate against women.

The Affordable Care Act: Improving Women’s Health in Minnesota for Years to Come.

 

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

 

Women's Press Poll shows Planned Parenthood is WHAT WOMEN WANT for health care, volunteer opportunities, and for philanthropy!

Did you hear? Planned Parenthood was mentioned in MN Women’s Press! The magazine recently published the results of their reader survey, “What women want!” Planned Parenthood took home the prize in two categories, along with a nod in a third category.

MN Women’s Press readers voted Planned Parenthood “Favorite women-friendly clinic,” and “Favorite organization serving women or girls I’d like to write a check to.” Planned Parenthood was also a runner-up in the category, “Favorite place to volunteer for women or girls.”

THANK YOU to all those who voted for Planned Parenthood. PP hopes to continue being your go-to place for health care, volunteer opportunities, and philanthropy.

Check out the MN Women’s Press article for more details!

 

-by Lauren, Web Correspondent, Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota

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

National Action Fund President Will Speak in Minneapolis

We are thrilled to announce that on May 8th, Planned Parenthood Action
Fund’s national president, Cecile Richards, will be the featured guest for our
Sex, Politics, and Cocktails fundraiser in Minneapolis! Here are the details!

Sex, Politics, and Cocktails

Wednesday, May 8th from 5:30 to 7pm at

Aria at the Jeune Lune

Minneapolis, MN

Online Registration is now closed, but you can still 

register by calling us at 612.821.6106. 


When you RSVP to this fundraiser, you are supporting the political,
legislative and electoral work that our Action Fund does to ensure that
all women have access to comprehensive reproductive healthcare. 


Cecile Richards is the president of the national Planned Parenthood
Action Fund. In 2012, she spoke at the Democratic National Convention in
support of women’s rights and political engagement in promoting equality.
Check out her speech and be sure to get your ticket to our annual spring
fundraiser. 

Online Registration is now closed, but you can still register by calling us at 612.821.6106. 

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

Share Your Story

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.

Would this have affected you if already enacted?

Will it potentially affect you?

Do you know someone it might affect?

Help us fight back by sharing your story with us today.

Download Story Release Form

If you have a story you are willing to share to help educate the public please email it to advocacy@ppmns.org.

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

Please take the time to share your story and help us fight this amendment.

Thousands of women’s health opponents expected in St. Paul

Every year on Good Friday, thousands of opponents of women’s health protest outside of Planned Parenthood on Vandalia and University in St. Paul.

While women’s health opponents are expected to arrive en masse, creating a challenging day for clinic patients and staff, you can make their protest backfire and Pledge a Protester.

For every anti-women’s health picketer that comes on Friday, your pledge will go directly to the Vandalia clinic. You can donate $10 for one protester, $50 for five protesters, and so on. Help make sure every protester is pledged by a Planned Parenthood supporter.

Last year supporters raised $29,000 for Planned Parenthood. This year, we are hoping to raise $30,000 to support providing women with their full range of reproductive options.

By helping us reach that goal, you can turn an otherwise challenging day into a positive experience for Planned Parenthood’s dedicated staff and the patients that they are committed to serving. Your $10, $20 or $50 pledge will go along way in ensuring that all women have access to expert, affordable reproductive health care, no matter what.

Show women’s health opponents that this community stands with Planned Parenthood.

Pledge a Protester today!

 

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

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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New Minnesota health care exchange signed into law

Governor Dayton signed into law the Minnesota Insurance Marketplace Act on Wednesday, creating a new health insurance marketplace increasing accessibility for Minnesota women and families.

Nearly 1.3 million Minnesotans, including 300,000 currently uninsured, will benefit from the passage of this law. According the Health Reform Minnesota website, that’s 1 in 5 Minnesotans.

Health insurance will be available online through a consumer-oriented marketplace called MNsure, beginning in 2014. Consumers can enroll in the exchange starting in October.

A key element in implementing President Obama’s Affordable Care Act, the health insurance exchange bill passed in the Senate Monday and in the House last week.

Policies in the Minnesota marketplace will be required to cover comprehensive women's preventive health services with no co-pays. Women will have increased access to life-saving cancer screenings, birth control, and Pap tests.  

The bill remained contentious through House and Senate proceedings, particularly concerning an amendment that would prohibit health care plans in the exchange from providing abortion coverage. After passing in the House, the amendment was ultimately cut from the final version of the bill.

The marketplace will be run by a seven-member governor-appointed board. Gov. Dayton has until April 30th to appoint board members, which already includes Health and Human Services Commissioner Lucinda Jesson.

 

For more info, check out: 

The MNsure website

MPR's Daily Circuit reporting on the Minnesota health insurance exchange

 

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