Freedom is Choice

YAY! Affordable Birth Control is Back!

2009-03-16T14:58:00.000-04:00

FINALLY! Affordable birth control is back! On March 10, 2009 congress passed an omnibus appropriations bill that included the Affordable Birth Control Act. (An omnibus bill packages together many bills into one). This is a huge victory for low-income and college woman across the United States, who saw the cost of birth control skyrocket in 2006 when an “error” in the Deficit Reduction act was passed.

It is also a victory for Planned Parenthood who lead a grassroots campaign to mobilize hundreds of young people to contact their members of Congress in support of affordable birth control. Millions stepped up to write letters, make phone calls, send emails and visit their representatives to make the case for affordable birth control.

The victory is especially helpful to college women. While we have all seen an increase in general living expenses, college women have also had to deal with a rise in the cost of tuition and books over the past two years. This made having to pay 10 times more for birth control a greater burden on them.

And, it’s good news for taxpayers as well. This legislation was a no-cost fix to a two year-old mistake that restricted access to family planning — and pregnancy prevention. The savings becomes even greater when you consider that every dollar spent on prevention, saves $6 on social services over a years time.

This bill restores affordable birth control, and that’s good for all women in their reproductive years! According to the Guttmacher Institute, women of childbearing age spend 68% more in out-of-pocket health care costs than men, in part because of the cost of birth control supplies and services.

Planned Parenthood is thankful to Congress for standing up for women’s health. Please, take a minute now to thank your representatives for passing this legislation.

Restore Affordable Birth Control

2009-01-14T15:34:00.003-05:00

Good news! Back in March 2007 we told you about an "error" in the 2006 Deficit Reduction Act that inadvertently caused birth control prices to increase ten-fold for low income women and college students. Many of you took up the call to action and pressured congress to fix the error.

Well, it's taken over a year, but we are please to report that a bi-partisan bill, The Prevention Through Affordable Access Act, has been introduced in congress. This is a no-cost fix that will restore affordable birth control pricing to college health centers and health care providers that serve low income women (like Planned Parenthood).

Take a moment now to email, call or write your congressional leaders asking them to support this bill. Preventing unintended pregnancy is the only real way to reduce the need for abortion.

You can read more about the bill at Planned Parenthood. You can also sign-up to take action from their website.

Affordable Health Care is Available NOW

2008-12-29T16:04:00.001-05:00

President-elect Barack Obama has asked Planned Parenthood Federation of American to provide his office with information on our priorities for health care reform. We are gathering input from people like you right now, and will share your stories at the end of the month. One thing that is very clear to us, is that the need for Planned Parenthood has never been greater than it is right now.

Millions of people rely on Planned Parenthood for access to high-quality affordable care right NOW. But as the unemployment rate continues to rise and the 46 million uninsured American’s are join by thousands more each day, we want to remind people that we are here for you — and your family and friends — with high-quality personal care at an affordable (many times FREE) cost.

Planned Parenthood of South Central Michigan has been providing reproductive and sexual health care in Kalamazoo since 1966 and in Battle Creek since 1991. In the last year, we expanded our services even further when we opened health centers in Coldwater, Hillsdale, Sturgis and Three Rivers.

Health care at Planned Parenthood is MUCH more than birth control! Do you need an annual exam? When you come in for your annual check-up, we screen for low blood iron, high blood pressure, breast cancer, cervical cancer, testicular cancer and infections. We also participate in the Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program that provides free mammograms and cervical cancer screening and treatment for women age 40-64.

So, don’t wait! Make an appointment for you — or someone you love — today! We can usually see you the same day, or next day. And, if you can’t wait for an appointment, we have convenient walk-in hours at all our health centers! So, start the New Year off right by taking care of yourself. Planned Parenthood is here to help!

Bush's Parting Gift to Political Religious Extremists

2008-12-19T16:28:00.008-05:00

In our last post we told you about a "rule" that might outlaw birth control by redefining it as abortion. We also explained that this rule contained language that would allow medical professionals to refuse treatment that goes against their religious beliefs.

Well, guess what? The rule was passed yesterday. The language equating birth control to abortion was removed, but the "refusal clause" is now LAW. Tell the Obama Administration to make repealing this law their first priority. This sets a dangerous precedent not just for birth control and abortion — but for ANY medical procedure.

Read the statement from Planned Parenthood Federation of America on this outrageous rule below:

For Immediate Release: Dec. 19, 2008

PLANNED PARENTHOOD CRITICIZES HHS MIDNIGHT REGULATION
JEOPARDIZING WOMEN’S HEALTH

Washington, DC — The Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) sharply criticized a last-minute regulation by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that poses a serious threat to patients’ rights to receive complete and accurate health care information and services.

“This midnight regulation, issued in the last days of the Bush administration, undermines this country’s fragile health care system as well as patients’ access to health care information and services,” said PPFA President Cecile Richards. “We look forward to working with President-elect Obama and leaders in Congress to repeal this disastrous rule and expand patients’ access to full health care information and services — not limit it.”

Under the new rule, doctors, physicians, and health care workers of all kinds can deny patients vital health care information and services, without the patient even knowing. This rule will restrict health care access at nearly 600,000 health care facilities. With more than 45 million Americans currently uninsured, this is no time to make access to health care even more difficult. In addition, this rule could potentially create total chaos in an already stressed health care system, particularly for low-income women and families whose options are already limited.

“We are shocked that the Bush administration chose to finalize its midnight regulation and to take this parting shot at women’s health and ignore patients’ rights to receive the critical health care services and information they deserve,” said Richards. “From day one, this administration has made ideology and politics a priority over patients’ rights and needs, and this regulation is no different.”

Roughly 200,000 U.S. citizens, federal and state elected officials, medical organizations, and health care advocacy and religious organizations submitted comments opposing the misguided rule. The regulation broadens the scope of existing laws and reaches beyond congressional intent by focusing solely on providers, with absolutely no protections to ensure patients receive critical health care information and services.

In addition to the comments of 90,000 Planned Parenthood supporters, opposition was also voiced through official comments to HHS by these elected officials at the federal and state levels:

• a bipartisan coalition of more than 100 members of Congress

• a bipartisan group of governors, including Governors John Baldacci (D-ME), Chet Culver (D-IA), Jim Doyle (D-WI), Christine Gregoire (D-WA), David Paterson (D-NY), M. Jodi Rell (R-CT), Edward Rendell (D-PA), and Ted Strickland (D-OH)

• a bipartisan group of 13 attorneys general from Arizona, Connecticut, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Montana, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island, Utah, and Vermont; Attorneys general from California, Illinois, Massachusetts, and Minnesota, submitted individual comments.

• State legislators from a number of states wrote in opposition to the regulation, including state legislators from Oregon, Texas, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin.

In addition, The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Legal Counsel and the Commissioners submitted letters of opposition to this rule, saying it overlaps with existing law, that it is potentially confusing to the regulated community, and that it will impose a burden on covered employers, particularly small employers.

Nongovernmental organizations also made their opposition known:

• More than 80 organizations joined Planned Parenthood in signing onto an opposition letter, including the American Nurses Association, the American Medical Student Association, the American Social Health Association, the Association of Reproductive Health Professionals, and several prominent HIV/AIDS, international health, and gay rights organizations.

• Prominent health care provider associations and health advocacy organizations weighed in with their opposition, including the American Medical Association, the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the National Association of Community Health Centers, the American Public Health Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs.

In May 2008, the White House issued a directive to administrative agencies to submit all proposed regulations by June 1, 2008, except in “extraordinary circumstances.” The purpose of the deadline was to ensure that agencies did not engage in ill-conceived rulemaking prior to a change of administration. Yet HHS submitted its proposed rule in late August 2008 and put it on the fast track with a shortened 30-day public comment period. Now this last-minute regulation will take effect just two days before the next administration takes office.

Click HERE for more resources on opposition to HHS midnight rule, including the letters listed above.

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Planned Parenthood Federation of America is the nation's leading sexual and reproductive health care advocate and provider. We believe that everyone has the right to choose when or whether to have a child, and that every child should be wanted and loved. Planned Parenthood affiliates operate more than 880 health centers nationwide, providing medical services and sexuality education for millions of women, men, and teenagers each year. We also work with allies worldwide to ensure that all women and men have the right and the means to meet their sexual and reproductive health care needs.

2008-07-29T12:48:00.007-04:00

What will you do without birth control?

Your birth control method may not be available to you under a new “rule” for the Department of Health and Human Services (HSS), (a rule — that congress and the courts cannot stop) which the Bush Administration is working to ratify. A rule that would broaden the definition of abortion to include most birth control methods and could render them illegal — or impossible to obtain — especially for women under the age of 18.

Other changes in HSS policy include making “refusal clauses” legal policy. These “clauses” allow pharmacists and other medical persons to refuse to fill your prescription for medications that go against their religious beliefs — like regular birth control and emergency contraception (for you and rape victims). You could be denied an abortion if you go to a medical center where someone works who doesn’t believe in them and refuses to perform them or refer to you another clinic.

Planned Parenthood and other federally funded health centers could not refuse to hire these religious extremist because of their beliefs. How would you like to try to get medically accurate information from the nurse that protests against birth control outside our Kalamazoo health center? Under this new rule, that could happen. Misinformation and anti-abortion tactics will become intertwined with medical facts.

Do these possibilities scare you? They should, because they are dangerously close to becoming the reality in women’s health care in this country.

Do something! Write a letter to the editor to help inform others about what you’ve learned. Write to the president demanding that he keep theology out of medicine. Write, call, speak out to everyone about this outrageous attempt to put women back in the kitchen barefoot and pregnant!

For more details, check out some of the articles that have been written about this issue. Then, Stand up! Speak Out! And vote!

The Oregonian: Wyden urges feds to reconsider contraception policy

The Seattle Times: An anti-abortion ploy

Chicago Sun-Times: Stealth attack on women's rights exposed

The New York Times: Redefining Abortion

Act Now to Save Affordable Birth Control

2008-05-30T12:46:00.003-04:00

We’re Almost There! Act Now to Save Affordable Birth Control

Thanks to all your hard work over the past couple of months, we got Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) to sign on to our bill and last week the Senate voted to Restore Affordable Birth Control! Now, its up to the House to make this a reality for the millions of college students and low income women it impacts. We expect ABC to come to a vote in the House next week, so take 5 minutes today to save birth control!

Help us bring this home! ABC is still as easy as 1, 2, 3 :)
1. Email Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi yourself today. CLICK HERE

2. After you've sent your email, take 2 minutes and ask your friends to do the same. Again, we expect ABC to come to a vote in the House next week so time is of the essence.

3. Repost the link in a note on facebook and/or a bulletin on myspace asking your friends to email her as well. Raise awareness about the urgency of this issue. Talk to everyone you know and encourage them to take action now!

Without Abortion Providers, There is NO Choice!

2008-03-10T15:39:00.003-04:00

When was the last time you really thought about what an abortion provider endures on a daily basis to give you freedom of choice? Are you aware that the number of providers has been shrinking since 1982 (down by 37%)? The fact is that even though abortion is legal, if there are no providers, it doesn’t matter.

March 10, 2008 marks the 12th anniversary of National Abortion Providers Appreciation Day, and sadly, the 15th anniversary of the murder of Dr. David Gunn, a brave abortion provider that was assassinated outside his clinic in Pensacola, FL on March 10, 1993. Dr. Gunn was only 47 years old, and was shot in the back by a religious anti-abortion extremist as he got out of his car. He was the first provider to be murdered.

The anniversary of his death is observed by many organizations nationwide as a day to remember and honor Dr. Gunn and the brave people that provide women with choices when facing an unplanned pregnancy. These doctors risk harassment, violence and even death to provide safe, legal abortions for women. Their numbers are dwindling — many provide services for women in multiple cities and even cross state lines to ensure access to abortion.

This lack of access is the most disturbing fact about abortion today. Eighty-seven percent of the counties in the United States have no abortion provider. And, even though their numbers have declined significantly over the last 20 years, abortion remains one of the most common surgeries in the U.S. This leaves women seeking those services little choice. Many must travel long distances — even to other states — to obtain an abortion.

One of the most significant reasons for our provider “crisis” has been a change in the availability of training. Changes to federal law made it possible for medical schools to “opt out” of this critical training for OB/GYN students. The AMA did respond, but the battle has been up hill. To learn more about this trend, check out this article from JAMA.

Despite these trends in lack of services, there is hope. Medical Students for Choice was formed in 1993 in response to the shortage. They hold the key to increasing the number of providers with a membership of 7,000 strong and growing.

So on this National Abortion Providers Appreciation Day, take time to say THANK YOU! to these brave people that risk so much to provide women with choice — freedom — autonomy. Thank you abortion providers for ALL you do!

Conspiracy, Corporate Favor or “Error”? Fact is, Something Must Change — NOW!

2008-03-07T12:58:00.002-05:00

To a conspiracy theorist, the ten-fold cost in birth control for low-income and college women would appear to be the work of the religious political extremist associated with the Bush Administration. In 2007, the cost of birth control increased from approximately $5-$10 per month to $40-$50 per month for low-income women and college students. This huge jump has lead many to quit using this form of contraceptive simply because they cannot afford it. This would lead the conspiracy theorist to speculate that the extreme right has found a way to “get rid” of birth control for a majority of American women.

But, a closer look at the issue shows that it was more of a “favor” for the major drug companies. Okay, maybe that’s a conspiracy theory too.

The real reason for the drastic increase in the cost of birth control for these women is actually the fall-out from a provision in the Deficit Reduction Act of 2006. Let’s give congress the benefit of the doubt and assume it was a “technical error” on their part — a technical error that went into play January 1, 2007 and has still not been corrected. It’s been over a year now. It’s time for congress to act.

We need to put the pressure on them to correct this “error.” And, the only way to do this is to demand support for the Prevention Through Affordable Access Act. Visit Planned Parenthood Federation of America to take action on this issue and demand congress “fix” their error immediately!

Visit the WMU Vox page to help spread the word in southwest Michigan. Or email ppscm for more information on how you can help where you live.

Still Fighting to Save Freedom at 35

2008-01-17T09:50:00.000-05:00

The 35th Anniversary of Roe v Wade brings yet another extremist nomination for federal judge from the Bush Administration

January 22 marks the 35th anniversary of the landmark Supreme Court decision to legalize abortion, saving countless women’s lives. Yet, measures (people — more specifically, men) are being put into place as life-time federal judges in an effort to criminalize the procedure again. This is just the latest attack in a long war by George Bush and his followers on women’s autonomy.

Bush has nominated Richard Honaker, a lawyer from Wyoming. Mr. Honaker is not just any lawyer — he’s a religious political extremist on steroids! During his career as a state legislator, he introduced the “Human Life Protection Act” which would have outlawed ALL abortion in Wyoming. If we allow his appointment as a U.S. District judge, it will be a setback to women’s rights that we won’t recover from for decades. Read more about “Horrifying Honaker” here.

It’s time for American’s to stand up to men like George W. Bush and Richard Honaker. Contact your senators now! Making abortion illegal does not stop it. It only sends women back to a dark, dangerous place where they are forced to, literally, put their lives into the hands of criminals.

NARAL makes it easy to protest. Visit their website here and demand the Senate block this nominee.

Cervical Cancer — Are YOU at Risk?

2008-01-16T12:54:00.000-05:00

If you've ever had unprotected sex, you probably are.

Medical research has found that 70% of cervical cancer is caused by HPV — the human papilloma virus. HPV is a sexually transmitted infection that can also cause genital warts and is easily passed on — even without symptoms.

HPV is extremely common. Approximately 20 million people are currently infected with HPV. At least 50% of sexually active men and women acquire genital HPV infection at some point in their lives. By age 50, at least 80 percent of women will have acquired genital HPV infection. About 6.2 million Americans get a new genital HPV infection each year.

But, the good news is that we now know that HPV is the cause of nearly all cervical cancer — and there is a way to prevent it! The HPV vaccine will prevent infection for the two types of HPV which are responsible most cervical cancers as well as many cancers of the vulva, anus and penis. Last year over 11,000 women were diagnosed with cervical cancer disease and nearly 4,000 women die in the United States each year from this disease.

January is National Cervical Health Month. Make a vow to protect yourself from cervical cancer. Call Planned Parenthood today to make an appointment to get the HPV vaccine! It could save your life.

World AIDS Day

2007-11-20T14:36:00.000-05:00

December 1, 2007 marks the 19th anniversary of World AIDS Day. Its purpose is to create awareness about the AIDS pandemic raging around the world today. It is estimated that nearly 40 MILLION people are living with HIV — 2.3 million of them are children. With over 4 million new cases every year, raising awareness is critical.

In observance of World AIDS Day, Vox is holding a benefit concert on Sunday, December 9, 2007 from 5:00-10:30 at Kanley Chapel on the campus of WMU. A line up of great music featuring Lake Effect, Their Teeth Will Be of Lions, Kline, A Mighty Little Boat and The Giving Tree will perform. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated. All money raised goes to Save the Children.

Help us spread the word! Download a flier from the Vox homepage.

See you December 9th!

New Strategy to Outlaw Abortion from the Extreme Right

2007-09-18T13:57:00.000-04:00

The July 20th edition of the PBS news program NOW, we got a glimpse into the new strategy of the extreme right in their short-sighted attempt to outlaw abortion — use post-abortion politics to claim it "hurts" women. There's no scientific proof for this, and in fact, the science shows just the opposite — women are relieved and go on to be happy and healthy.

This hasn't stopped their push in this direction (when has science ever been something religious extremists listen to?). In fact, they have found a VERY small minority of women to speak out on this issue through TV, Radio and the web. But, what’s even more disturbing, and downright frightening is that they've got Supreme Court Justice Kennedy quoting them in his rulings! This is the most chilling development around this issue in history!

So, let's see. No basis in science, proof of the opposite effect, in other words, legislating lies — with the help of the Supreme Court.

We encourage all citizens to educate themselves about this frightening new deception by watching the NOW program to learn the details, and then take action. We must stop these lies from being sold as facts. To access the NOW program on-line, go to http://www.pbs.org/now/shows/329/index.html. There you will be able to watch or read the transcript.

Looking for Vox Volunteers at WMU

2007-08-24T14:35:00.000-04:00

Interested in volunteering for Vox: Voices for Planned Parenthood?

We are looking for WMU students who are supportive of our mission and who are interested in volunteering with the Vox group.

Vox Volunteers will assist with the following:

1. Monthly educational tablings on campus
2. Volunteer at community events (health fairs, community gatherings etc.)
3. National Condom Week Poetry Slams
4. Build coalitions with other progressive organizations on campus
5. Attend bi-weekly Vox meetings and learn about our issues from your Vox leader

and so much more...

Please call Megan at 269-372-1205

PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF SOUTH CENTRAL MICHIGAN FIGHTS CONGRESSMAN WALBERG’S VOTE TO DENY FAMILY PLANNING SERVICES TO THOUSANDS OF MICHIGANDERS

2007-08-24T14:32:00.000-04:00

Battle Creek, Michigan — Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) this week took on Congressman Walberg for his vote to strip Title X funds from Planned Parenthood clinics—a vote to effectively eliminate family planning services for millions of women, men and teens in communities across America.

Rev. Mark Pawlowski, Planned Parenthood of South Central Michigan CEO said, "For more than 90 years, Planned Parenthood has provided women, men and teens with the health care services and education they need to make responsible decisions and plan their families. Congressman Walberg should be ashamed of this outrageous attack on family planning and the more than 2.4 million women and men who rely on Planned Parenthood for birth control each year.”

The amendment, introduced by Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN), singled out Planned Parenthood and its affiliate health centers to be excluded from receiving Title X funds. Title X is the nation’s first and only federal program dedicated solely to funding family planning and related reproductive health services. Pence offered the amendment to H.R. 3043, the Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations bill. It was soundly defeated.

Each year, more than five million women receive comprehensive family planning services at approximately 4,500 family planning clinics funded by Title X. Title X patients are predominantly poor and uninsured; two-thirds have incomes at or below the federal poverty level.

Continued Rev. Pawlowski, “Nearly 17 million low-income women in the U.S. need subsidized family planning services, and there is not enough funding to meet the need. Hardliners should stop playing politics and start focusing on real solutions. On behalf of the women and families who rely on Planned Parenthood for birth control each year, we urge Congressman Walberg to stop the political games and join with Planned Parenthood to put prevention first."

Planned Parenthood plays a critical role in reducing unintended pregnancies for low-income women, who are the vast majority of Planned Parenthood patients and who are four times more likely to face unintended pregnancies. For many women, especially those in rural and underserved communities, Planned Parenthood is their only source of health care.

“The simple fact is, without Planned Parenthood, many women would have nowhere to go for basic health services. Congressman Walberg voted for a fundamentally anti-woman amendment that will sabotage the reproductive health care services they rely on, as well as the intent of the Title X program. Congressman Walberg shows once again he is out of touch with his constituencies. Michigan’s women, men and teens deserve far better,” said Megan Zapinski, Public Affairs Manager at Planned Parenthood of South Central Michigan.

Every year, Planned Parenthood provides millions of women, men and teens with health care information and services. For more information about Planned Parenthood's Prevention First agenda, visit www.plannedparenthood.org.

Libertyville Abortion Demonstration

2007-08-03T09:48:00.001-04:00

Press Release Regarding Federal Abortion Ban Ruling-PPFA

2007-05-31T11:57:00.000-04:00

WASHINGTON, DC — The U.S. Supreme Court today (April 18, 2007) upheld the federal abortion ban in the cases Gonzales v. Planned Parenthood and Gonzales v. Carhart. The ban, passed by Congress and signed by President Bush in 2003, criminalizes abortions in the second trimester of pregnancy that doctors say are safe and the best to protect women's health. Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) denounced today's ruling.

"This ruling flies in the face of 30 years of Supreme Court precedent and the best interest of women’s health and safety," said PPFA Deputy Director of Litigation and Law Eve Gartner, who argued Gonzales v. Planned Parenthood. "Today the court took away an important option for doctors who seek to provide the best and safest care to their patients. This ruling tells women that politicians, not doctors, will make their health care decisions for them."

“Today's decision is a shocking setback for women's health," added Gartner. As Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg said in her dissent, ‘…the Court deprives women of the right to make an autonomous choice, even at the expense of their safety.’

When President Bush signed the federal abortion ban in 2003, PPFA, Planned Parenthood Golden Gate (PPGG), the Center for Reproductive Rights, the National Abortion Federation and the American Civil Liberties Union challenged it in federal district courts around the country. Leading ob/gyns at major medical institutions testified against the ban because it would prevent them from providing the care that is best to protect their patients' health. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American Nurses Association and many other medical groups oppose the federal ban. Until now, every court that examined the ban struck it down because, among other things, it fails to protect women's health.

"This ban was driven by anti-choice politics, and unfortunately, the ruling does not respect women's health,” said PPGG President Dian Harrison. "While the Bush administration has been appointing justices to the Supreme Court who threaten women’s health, Planned Parenthood has been focused on our top priorities: the health and safety of our patients. We will work to ensure women are provided with the best and safest possible care under this law."
Just seven years ago, the Supreme Court had struck down a very similar abortion ban enacted in Nebraska because it did not have a health exception, with Justice O'Connor providing the critical vote that upheld protections for women's health and safety. Since then, Justice O’Connor retired and was replaced on the court by Justice Alito.
"The new Bush court turned its back on women's health and safety with this ruling," said PPFA President Cecile Richards. "It's 2007. Americans need Supreme Court justices who recognize the importance of women's health."

Spring Udate

2007-04-06T16:54:00.000-04:00

The semester is winding down and we are trying to find new volunteers for next fall. Please visit the Vox website to find out more about how you can volunteer. Stop in at our tabling at the Bernhard Center on Monday April 16th from 11am to 2pm. Our table will have lots of information and we’d love to talk to you.

In the news, a new bill is being presented that will force women seeking abortions to view an ultrasound before hand. Supporters of the bill claim that it is not an anti-abortion bill, not making abortion legal in anyway. They say that by viewing an ultrasound, the women may be swayed to keep their child. Challengers of the bill are arguing that the women who have decided to get an abortion have already made informed and thoughtful decisions, therefore seeing the ultrasound should not be required nor will it make a difference. Saying the bill is a violation of women’s rights, they argue that it is inhumane for a woman wanting to terminate a pregnancy caused by rape being first forced to view an ultrasound. Supporters of the bill are being asked to look at what their actual cause is and how it relates to women’s rights.

2007-01-25T16:11:00.000-05:00

2007-01-19T13:32:00.000-05:00

On January 22, 2007, the 34th Anniversary of Roe v. Wade, PPSCM's Clergy Board is hosting a Candlelight Gathering in Downtown Kalamazoo at Bronson Park. The event begins at 5:30pm and will end at 6pm. Please join us.

Free EC Day December 6, 2006

2006-12-05T17:07:00.000-05:00

Don't forget — and spread the word!

We're celebrating increased access to emergency contraception (EC)! Planned Parenthood of South Central Michigan is giving away EC on Wednesday, December 6 at all three of their health clinics.

Kalamazoo: 8am-5pm
Battle Creek: 9am-7pm
Albion: 10am-6pm

We hope that Free EC Day will encourage people to think about preventing unintended pregnancy. EC was approved for over-the-counter sales earlier this year to those 18 and older. EC is available at Planned Parenthood without a prescription — and if you're under 18 and need a prescription, we can give you that too.

HAPPY FREE EC DAY!

Dems Win Big, Bush Plays Dumb

2006-11-17T10:33:00.000-05:00

We're all breathing a little easier with the 2006 mid-term elections behind us. But — don't get too comfortable. Apparently, the President didn't get the message. Mr. Bush continues to appoint extremist judges and unqualified religious zealots to oversee family planning dollars.

In a push to ram through the remainder of his conservative agenda, the president has just re nominated six candidates to the federal appeals court that were previously blocked. How could he possibly think he'll succeed this time? Is he that sheltered in his ivory tower? Did he NOT see the results of the November 7th election?

Check out these extreme nominees and then be sure to contact your senators to express your concern over their re nomination.

Next, Mr. Bush wants to trash the programs that help provide reproductive health care for poor women. He has just appointed Eric Keroack, a crisis pregnancy center director from Massachusetts, to take over as the new Deputy Assistant Secretary for Population Affairs at the Department of Health and Human Services. This position has authority over Title X funding. Title X provides comprehensive family planning services, including contraception, pap smears, breast exams and STI testing and treatment. The program supports a broad range of contraceptive methods, including natural family planning and mandates non-directive options counseling.

Dr. Keroack as Medical Director of these "crisis pregnancy" centers, opposes birth control and comprehensive sex education regarding the benefits of contraception to prevent pregnancy and STIs. Keroack has testified in favor of biased counseling provisions in the Massachusetts legislature, and is prolific in writings that promote politics over sound science/medicine.

SPEAK UP! SPEAK OUT! Demand that Mr. Bush replace Eric Keroack with a qualified person to oversee these funds!

2006-10-30T12:41:00.000-05:00

Get out your vote on November 7th!
For a list of pro-choice candidates in Michigan, visit miplannedparenthood.org

HPV Vaccine is Pro-Life

2006-09-16T16:03:00.000-04:00

Would someone please tell me how vaccinating girls to prevent cancer — prevent death — is immoral?

This is the argument from political religious extremists. Aren't they missing the point? Isn't it a pro-life "value" to save nearly 4,000 lives a year? Or is it just a fetus not yet born that trumps the lives of LIVING women and girls?

Michigan would be the first state in the nation to require that all 6th grade girls be vaccinated against HPV, a virus that can lead to cervical cancer. Nearly 10,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer every year. Bravo to our female legislators — both Republican and Democrat that introduced this legislation. And (this is a HUGE surprise) to Mr. Tom George in particular, who for once supports logical law to help women. I'm sure he will receive much pressure from the right-to-lifer's he panders to (and agrees with) that put him in office. We applaud his decision to support this bill.

Human's are sexual beings. We all become sexually active at some point in our lives. And, not always at our choosing. The rate of incest in this country is mind-blowing! Not to mention that there are over 100,000 rapes in the U.S. each year. Yet these christian fundamentalists seem so afraid of sex that they would rather their daughters (and yours) die than have them protected from cancer. They claim that someone being immunized against cervical cancer will "encourage" sexual activity.

Give me a break! If you live in Michigan, write to your legislators and ask them to support this immunization bill — it's the "pro-life" thing to do. And, while you're at it, send a special thank you to Mr. George for helping, instead of hurting women as his legislation usually does.

Where's Your Vox Kalamazoo?

2006-07-25T17:46:00.000-04:00

Reproductive rights — civil rights of all kinds, for all people — ARE being taken away. I'm wondering, do Kalamazoo's young people REALLY know how close they are to losing the right to choose when to take on the responsibility of being a parent?

And, we're not just talking about abortion. There is a major attack underway on all things related to sex — especially a woman's ability to control her fertility, indeed her destiny. But, it's subtle. So subtle, most people haven't taken notice of how these rights are being stripped away little by little.

Are you a college student? Do you care about being able to plan your family? Got a couple of hours a week, month, year?

Hook up with Vox: Voices for Planned Parenthood. Visit the Kalamazoo Vox site for more info.

Raise your Vox Kalamazoo!