Planned Parenthood Advocate

Environmental Toxins Education Night Summary

by Sarah
Teen Council member and Web Correspondent
Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota

When people think of Environmental toxins, their minds usually go straight to the news horror story of the newest ‘big and bad chemical. The thing farthest from their minds, is probably Planned Parenthood. However, On December 10th, the Planned Parenthood in Uptown Minneapolis hosted an event for anyone interested in examining the effects of environmental toxins on reproductive health. Senior Director of Government Public Affairs, Tim Stanley, explained clearly why Planned Parenthood has a vested interest in this issue. He said that Planned Parenthood is an organization that works tirelessly to make sure that people can become parents when they choose, but unfortunately, harmful environmental toxins are getting in the way of that choice to become a parent. So, with a group of about 20 people, Mr. Stanley, gave participants some shocking yet extremely helpful information about what environmental toxins we are exposed to in our everyday life.

One of the things Mr. Stanley discussed the most was Bisphenol A. Studies have shown that this chemical can hurt the reproductive health of both men and women. One in particular studied men who worked in factories with this chemical and the men who were exposed to high concentrations of this chemical were shown to have a higher rate of asthma, as well as erectile dysfunction. This chemical can not only hurt the reproductive health of women, making it harder for them to conceive, but the effects on the woman can be passed on to her child through the placenta. The scariest part is that this chemical is found in common items such as certain types of hard plastic water bottles. Though these chemicals are out there, during group discussion we stressed the importance of awareness, not paranoia, and we realized that it is impossible to completely protect yourself. However, Planned Parenthood has always recognized that people should take charge of their health, and know what is going in their body.

On a lighter note, after a very good group discussion, we moved onto making safe, all-natural products that are chemical-free. With the assistance of a few Planned Parenthood Metro Teen Council members, participants were able to make lip-balm and cleaner. Truc demonstrated how to make the lip-balm using only beeswax, olive oil, and essential oil to scent it. Not only was it chemical-free, but moisturizing and long-lasting as well! Another Teen Council member, Phoebe, introduced a toxin-free cleaner introduced that consisted of borax, vinegar, dawn dish-soap, and water. These products showed us that the most common, everyday things can be made with ingredients not harmful to our health. In an era where everyday there seems to be a new story about a product having a negative effect on our health, it was a welcomed breath of fresh air.

If you are interested in learning more, Mr. Stanley said that Planned Parenthood would be hosting another event in the future, featuring a guest speaker who would outline some of the science behind the issue. Stay tuned for more info on that and we hope to see you there!

Senator Franken Introduces Compassionate Care for Servicewomen

by Karina

Web Editor
Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota Action Fund

Today Senator Franken, along with Senator Olympia Snowe, introduced the Compassionate Care for Servicewomen Act—a bill that would finally give women in the military reliable access to Emergency Contraception (EC).

With the introduction of this bill, Senator Franken once again has shown himself to be a strong advocate for the health and rights of women. In the last couple of weeks, Senator Franken has delivered two very powerful, eloquent floor speeches supporting women’s health--the first was in support of the Mikulski women’s health amendment, and the second was in opposition of the Nelson/Hatch (Stupak) amendment.  This was preceded by his highly publicized effort to deny funding to defense contractors that don’t allow sexual assault victims to seek justice through the courts.

The Compassionate Care for Women Act would require all military health care facilities to stock Emergency Contraception by adding EC to a list of core formularies. Currently, only some facilities stock EC, resulting in difficulties accessing the drug.

Via Sen. Franken’s office:

“All servicewomen should have the same access to this medication as civilians do,” said Sen. Franken. “The fact that more than 2,900 sexual assaults were reported last year in the military—a nine percent increase—only heightens the need to ensure emergency contraception is always available.”

Learn more about the bill here.

Thanks AGAIN to Senator Franken for being a powerful voice and advocate for reproductive rights and the health and lives of all women.

3 cheers for the Senate!

by Karina

Web Editor
Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota Action Fund

Yesterday the Senate defeated the Nelson/Hatch amendment, the Senate’s version of the Stupak amendment.  This is a tremendous achievement over anti-choice legislators and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops who tried to derail health care reform with the Stupak/Pitts and Nelson/Hatch amendments.
 
Via Planned Parenthood MN, ND, SD press release:

The Nelson/Hatch amendment mirrored the Stupak amendment to the House health care reform bill. The amendment would have placed a new restriction on women's access to abortion coverage in the private health insurance market, effectively undermining the ability of millions of women to purchase private health insurance plans that cover abortion care, even if they pay for the entire premium with their own money.

The amendment was defeated by a 54-45 vote to table the amendment, cutting off debate on the amendment and defeating it. 

Senator Franken delivered a compelling argument against the Nelson/Hatch amendment during debate on Tuesday:

We are on the verge of passing a historic health reform law that will do more to improve the health of women and families than any legislation in recent history.  We will end discrimination based on health history, gender, or history of domestic violence.  We will provide access to preventive health services so women can get annual exams and mammograms at no cost.  And it’s our responsibility to guarantee women are not worse off under health reform than they are today.  As my friend and mentor Paul Wellstone used to say: “If we don’t fight hard enough for the things that we stand for, at some point we have to recognize that we don’t really stand for them.” I urge my colleagues to stand with me today to oppose this amendment.

You can read the rest of this statement here.
 
Of the Senators representing the states in this Planned Parenthood affiliate, Senator Klobuchar and Franken from Minnesota, and Senator Tim Johnson from South Dakota all voted to defeat the Nelson/Hatch amendment. If you’re a Minnesotan or a South Dakotan, please take the time to thank your Senator(s).
 
Click here to Thank Senators Franken and Klobuchar.
Click here to Thank Senator Tim Johnson
 
Unfortunately, Senators Conrad and Dorgan of North Dakota voted in favor of the amendment which would have left women worse of after health care reform. Senator John Thune of South Dakota also voted in support of the Nelson/Hatch Amendment. If you’re a North or South Dakotan, take a moment to let them know that you’re not happy with their vote.
 
Click here to contact Senators Conrad and Dorgan.
Click here to contact Senator John Thune.
 
Thanks so much for everything you’ve done to help make sure that we stop Stupak!! Now all we have to do is pass health care reform, right? Yes we can!!
 
We’ll need your help. Stay tuned!
 

PPMNS APPLAUDS DEFEAT OF NELSON/HATCH AMENDMENT, PRAISES SENATORS KLOBUCHAR, FRANKEN AND JOHNSON

Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota (PPMNS) applauds the defeat of the Nelson/Hatch Amendment in the Senate today and congratulates Senators Franken (D-MN), Klobuchar (D-MN) and Johnson (D-SD) for protecting the health of women and families.

The Nelson/Hatch amendment mirrored the Stupak amendment to the House health care reform bill. The amendment would have placed a new restriction on women's access to abortion coverage in the private health insurance market, effectively undermining the ability of millions of women to purchase private health insurance plans that cover abortion care, even if they pay for the entire premium with their own money.

"Planned Parenthood serves tens of thousands of women every year through our health centers across the region and has worked tirelessly on behalf of those patients for affordable, quality health care. On behalf of the more than 60,000 women Planned Parenthood health centers serve, we thank Senators Klobuchar, Franken and Johnson for standing up for women's health by defeating the Nelson/Hatch amendment," said PPMNS President and CEO Sarah Stoesz.

The current Senate bill contains compromise language on abortion that prohibits federal funding for abortion, while ensuring that women can use their own money to purchase private insurance that covers comprehensive reproductive health care.

The U.S. Senate held a procedural vote, called a motion to table, on the Nelson/Hatch amendment. The motion to table passed 54-45, thus cutting off debate on the Nelson/Hatch amendment and defeating it.

"As a health care provider, Planned Parenthood is committed to passing health care reform that will guarantee affordable, quality health care coverage for all, including access to comprehensive reproductive health care," said Stoesz.

Planned Parenthood will continue to work with its allies in Congress to pass health care reform and ensure that the final health reform legislation does not take benefits away from women.

Last week, Planned Parenthood and 60 other organizations, representing the Coalition to Pass Health Care Reform and Stop Stupak!, organized a DC Lobby Day attended by more than 1,000 supporters who traveled to DC to meet with their members of Congress and urge them to oppose Stupak-like language that would restrict women's health care access.

Senator Franken spoke against the amendment on Senate floor. Read his statement here.

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PRESS CONTACT: Kathi Di Nicola
651.755.9557

 

Senator Franken continues to stand up for women in health care reform

by Karina

Web Editor
Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota Action Fund

Way to go Senator Franken! Not only did Senator Franken give a fantastic speech in support of the Mikulski’s women’s health amendment...

...he ALSO stood up against the Senate's version of the Stupak amendment, the Nelson/Hatch amendment, speaking yesterday on the floor of the Senate to urge his colleagues to oppose the Nelson/Hatch amendment.

"The amendment stipulates that health plans cannot cover abortion services if they accept even one subsidized customer -- even if the abortion coverage would be paid with the private premiums that health plans received directly from individuals," Franken said. "If adopted, this would mark the first time in federal law that we would restrict how individuals can use their own dollars in the private health insurance marketplace." (via Star Tribune)

Thank you Senator Franken for working hard to pass health care reform that takes women forward, not backward!