Planned Parenthood Advocate

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

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

Feb. 20 is Pro-Choice Lobby Day and You're Invited!

On February 20, Minnesotans will join in solidarity at the state capitol for Pro-Choice Lobby Day. Supporters will rally together and meet with legislators to ensure that women’s healthcare remains a priority for a healthy Minnesota.

And this year’s lobby day could not be more critical, as the 2013 legislature will design the implementation of the Affordable Care Act’s health insurance exchange – the online marketplace where consumers can shop for health insurance. The Minnesota Insurance Marketplace Act was introduced in early January and must be completely hammered out and signed by Governor Mark Dayton by the end of March.

February 20 marks the day where Minnesotans join the discussion. Under the healthcare exchange, thousands of people who are currently without health insurance will be able to shop around for a plan that’s best for them. It is imperative that supporters of women’s health ensure that every aspect of their healthcare is included in the exchange, from well woman visits and cancer screenings to contraception coverage and abortion care.

Pro-Choice Lobby Day will feature a Lobby 101 exercise, where you’ll get a quick training from an experienced Lobby Coach on what it’s like to visit with your representatives. After which, you’ll be invited to attend brief educational breakout sessions designed to inform you on a specific issue, give you a new perspective, and help develop the skills to talk about women’s reproductive rights with the people around you.

But remember, you do not need to be an experienced lobbyist, great public speaker or healthcare professional to attend this event or to have your voice heard. Pro-Choice Lobby Day is all about sharing your thoughts with your legislator and learning how the legislative process works.

The event is free and open to the public. Registration is required, so do so here.

- by Austin, Public Affairs Intern, Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota

 

Join us in Thanking Governor Dayton

Today, Governor Mark Dayton vetoed two bills that would have jeopardized the health and safety of women across Minnesota.

The first bill would have banned abortion after 20 weeks and criminalized the doctors who provide them. The second would have prohibited low-income women from receiving assistance for abortion through their state-funded health-care programs.

>Click to Thank Governor Dayton

We are thrilled and grateful to Governor Mark Dayton for stopping these intrusive measures that don't benefit the women of Minnesota. We hope legislative efforts can now be redirected not only to the larger business at hand regarding the state’s jobs and the economy but also to common-sense reproductive health education and prevention efforts.

Planned Parenthood Applauds Governor Mark Dayton for Protecting the Health and Safety of Minnesota Women and Families

Today, Governor Mark Dayton vetoed two unconstitutional bills that would have jeopardized the health and safety of women across Minnesota.

The first bill would have banned abortion for women in some of the most painful and difficult circumstances and criminalized the doctors who provide them.

The second would have prohibited low-income women from receiving insurance coverage for abortion through their state-funded health program. The bill lacked a clear definition of “state-sponsored health program.” Therefore it could also have barred Minnesotans purchasing private health care insurance regulated by the state from obtaining abortion coverage.

“We are enormously grateful to Gov. Mark Dayton for standing up for women’s health and heading off these intrusive, punitive measures,” said Sarah Stoesz, president and CEO of Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota. “We want all women to be healthy and safe, and we believe that all women should be able to make personal medical decisions, often very difficult ones, without the interference of politicians.”