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.”

Statement of Sarah Stoesz, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, on the Susan G. Komen Foundation’s Decision to Reinstate Funding for Breast Cancer Screenings at Planned Parenthood Health Centers Nationwide

The outpouring of support for women in need of lifesaving breast cancer screening this week has been astonishing and is a testament to our nation's compassion and sincerity.

This show of support underscores what a critical resource Planned Parenthood is in the fight to detect and prevent breast cancer.  We were so heartened by the calls and emails we received from people in our region, who made it clear that they did not like to see politics playing a role in women’s health care. 

During the last week, millions spontaneously joined a national conversation about lifesaving breast cancer prevention care and reinforced shared values about access to health care for all.  This compassionate outcry in support of those most in need rose above political, ideological, and cultural divides, and will surely be recognized as one of our nation's better moments during a contentious political time.  Planned Parenthood thanks each and every person who has contributed to elevating the importance of breast cancer prevention for so many women in need.

We are very happy the Susan G. Komen Foundation has had a change of heart.  This decision will mean that women around the country who need life-saving cancer screenings will still be able to acess them.

Contact: Jen Aulwes, 651.755.9557

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:

More Minnesotans are insured thanks to Obama's Affordable Care Act

This is great news! The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) recently announced that the number of insured young adults has substantially increased over the past year due to President Obama's Affordable Care Act. As a result of the provision allowing people under 26 to remain on their parents insurance, the numbers of insured young adults has increased by 2.5 million; 32,000 of them in Minnesota alone. In the past, young adults have typically been considered to be the least likely group to hold insurance.