Planned Parenthood Advocate

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.

What Will Health Care Reform Mean For MN Women?

The new federal health care law is moving forward in Minnesota - and will mean real changes in health care for Minnesota women. The "Affordable Care Act" will prevent insurance companies from charging more or dropping coverage for people who are sick. It will offer financial assistance to thousands of individuals who can't afford coverage. It will expand public health care programs available to low-income Minnesota women.

Join TakeAction Minnesota and Planned Parenthood for an informational briefing and conversation about "What Health Care Reform Will Mean for MN Women." Anna Benyo, Senior Health Policy Analyst for National Women's Law Center, will be joining us for this event.

January 12, 2012 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM TakeAction Minnesota
705 Raymond Ave. #100
St. Paul, MN 55114

RSVP today!

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.

Planned Parenthood Condemns House Passage of H.R. 358 Bill Severely Undermines Women’s Access to Care

Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota (PPMNS) strongly criticized the House of Representatives for passing H.R. 358, a dangerous bill that undermines women’s access to care, including eliminating protections for women seeking care in emergency situations.

“This bill is an egregious attack on women’s access to health care,” said Sarah Stoesz, PPMNS President and CEO. “Most devastating, the bill eliminates protections for patients seeking care in emergency circumstances, and would allow a hospital to deny lifesaving abortion care to a woman, even if a doctor deems it necessary.”

A breakthrough for women’s health: No co-pays for birth control

In a historic move for women’s reproductive and preventive health, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced new guidelines Monday requiring health insurance companies to cover women’s preventive health services, including birth control. The rules take effect Aug. 1, 2012.

“This is a tremendous step forward for women and families,” said Sarah Stoesz, president and CEO on Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota. “Not since the Comstock Laws, which banned information about contraceptives, were overturned in 1965 has there been a more significant development regarding contraceptives and preventive women’s health.”