Planned Parenthood Advocate

Planned Parenthood Stands with President Obama

Thanks to President Obama, being a woman is no longer a pre-existing condition—Cecile Richards

With both the Democratic and Republican National Conventions having reached their conclusion, each party has demonstrated to the electorate where they stand on the issues facing our nation.  In this election, more so than any other in recent history, women’s issues have risen to the forefront of the campaigns’ attentions, and it has never been more critical to stand behind the candidates who are standing with women. In this election, that’s President Obama.  

When Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards spoke at the DNC, she reminded us of how President Obama has been a faithful ally to women: signing the Lily Ledbetter Act, increasing access to birth control without co-pay, and ensuring no woman will be denied coverage for a pre-existing condition. 

These views stand in stark contrast to the Romney-Ryan ticket.  Having vowed to “get rid of” Planned Parenthood, to repeal the Affordable Care Act, to restrict women’s access to basic reproductive health care, and to support the overturn of Roe v. Wade, the extreme views of the Republican ticket would hurt women.  

While not everyone may agree wholly with the positions of either party, the extreme views of the Romney-Ryan ticket differ vastly from the moderate views of most Americans.  A recent poll found that 75% of adults think that even policy makers who oppose abortion should still support birth control.  Birth control is a basic, essential part of women’s health care, and the majority of Americans understand that.  We need to elect representatives who reflect these views, and value and trust women enough to let them make their own health care decisions.  The Republican ticket fails to recognize the vital role contraception plays in a woman’s life, and denying women access to affordable birth control, limits them in other facets of their life. 

Planned Parenthood Action Fund has proudly endorsed President Obama for a second term. His steadfast commitment to women ensures women will continue to have access to the essential care they deserve.  This November, let’s stand behind the candidate who’s stood with us.  

Moira, Web Correspondent, Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Datoka

GOP Representatives Vote to Repeal ACA, Again

Just weeks after the Supreme Court ruled that the Affordable Care Act is constitutional, the House of Representatives voted, once again, to repeal this landmark legislation.  The repeal garnered the vote of nearly every GOP congressperson, including Minnesota’s own Cravaack, Bachmann, Kline and Paulsen.  This is not the first time a vote like this has taken place.  In fact, the GOP lead House has now voted more than thirty times to repeal this legislation.

Our GOP representatives have argued fervently against ACA, citing government overreach and wasteful spending.  Despite the fact that ACA will provide live-saving insurance to more than 30 million Americans, Cravaack, Bachmann, Kline and Paulsen continue to fight against legislation that has already been passed and has been deemed constitutional by the United States Supreme Court. Rather than spend time working to find solutions to the problems facing our country, these representatives have chosen to waste valuable time and money on a largely symbolic vote, underscoring their discontent with ACA.

SCOTUS Upholds the Affordable Care Act: What this Means for Women

In a tremendous victory for all Americans, the Supreme Court upheld the 2010 Affordable Care Act (ACA), an act that extends health care coverage and seeks to eliminate the barriers to receiving affordable medical care.  While this ruling will impact the lives of all Americans, it has an especially powerful effect on women’s health care.

Under the current health care system, women can be denied coverage for having had a C-Section, breast cancer, or even for having been sexually assaulted.  The ACA changes this and ensures that insurance companies cannot deny coverage based upon a pre-existing condition. 

Additionally, the ACA ends the practice of charging women more for insurance simply because they are women.  This widespread practice, currently present in 90% of top insurance providers, costs women more than $1 billion dollars annually, with some companies charging women 85% more than their male counterparts.

Michele Bachmann – Far Outside the Mainstream – Endorses Mitt Romney

Today Mitt Romney accepted the endorsement of Michele Bachmann – a member of Congress with views far outside of the mainstream when it comes to basic protections for women’s health.

“Minnesotans know firsthand that Michele Bachmann’s views on women’s health are extreme,” said Sarah Stoesz, President of the Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota Action Fund. “With his enthusiastic acceptance of Bachmann’s endorsement, where Mitt Romney stands has never been clearer. He’s not a friend to women’s health.”

U.S. Senate Defeats Blunt Amendment 51-48

In an important victory, the U.S. Senate stood up today for women’s health and basic health care by defeating an extreme proposal sponsored by Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) that would have allowed any corporation or health plan to refuse to cover any health care service they object to, such as cancer screenings, maternity care, HIV/AIDS treatments and others.

“Today’s vote says that your boss won’t be able to decide which prescriptions you can get filled and which medical procedures you can have,” said Sarah Stoesz, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota (PPMNS). “For women, this vote means contraception will be covered under their health insurance, just like other basic, preventive health care.