Planned Parenthood Advocate

Senator introduces bill to cover abortion for Peace Corps volunteers

On Thursday Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) introduced a bill that will expand healthcare coverage for Peace Corps volunteers to include access to abortion. The Peace Corps Equity Act will ensure that abortion in the cases of rape, incest, and life endangerment will be covered.

Of all Peace Corps volunteers, 62 percent are women. Many work in countries where quality health care is not readily available. Unfortunately, hundreds of cases of rape and sexual assault have been perpetrated against volunteers over the last decade.

For many years, Congress has barred the Peace Corps from providing abortion coverage to its volunteers without exception. A similar ban for military servicewomen existed until 2012, when President Obama signed a bill broadened their coverage to include abortion in cases of rape or incest. The Peace Corps Equity Act would expand upon that policy, allowing Peace Corps volunteers the access to healthcare most women under federal government health plans already have.

We applaud the efforts of Sen. Lautenberg in speaking out for Peace Corps volunteers as civil servants.

 

- by Shieva, Web Correspondent, Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota Action Fund

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

Share Your Story

North Dakota’s constitutional amendment that puts Personhood on the ballot in 2014 goes far beyond just banning abortion--it could ban some forms of birth control and IVF. Help us fight back by sharing your story with us today.

We need to help educate the public in North Dakota  about everything this amendment could affect.

And we need your help in doing so.

Would this have affected you if already enacted?

Will it potentially affect you?

Do you know someone it might affect?

Help us fight back by sharing your story with us today.

Download Story Release Form

If you have a story you are willing to share to help educate the public please email it to advocacy@ppmns.org.

Personal stories are the best way to show the public what is really in jeopardy with this amendment.

Please take the time to share your story and help us fight this amendment.

Thousands of women’s health opponents expected in St. Paul

Every year on Good Friday, thousands of opponents of women’s health protest outside of Planned Parenthood on Vandalia and University in St. Paul.

While women’s health opponents are expected to arrive en masse, creating a challenging day for clinic patients and staff, you can make their protest backfire and Pledge a Protester.

For every anti-women’s health picketer that comes on Friday, your pledge will go directly to the Vandalia clinic. You can donate $10 for one protester, $50 for five protesters, and so on. Help make sure every protester is pledged by a Planned Parenthood supporter.

Last year supporters raised $29,000 for Planned Parenthood. This year, we are hoping to raise $30,000 to support providing women with their full range of reproductive options.

By helping us reach that goal, you can turn an otherwise challenging day into a positive experience for Planned Parenthood’s dedicated staff and the patients that they are committed to serving. Your $10, $20 or $50 pledge will go along way in ensuring that all women have access to expert, affordable reproductive health care, no matter what.

Show women’s health opponents that this community stands with Planned Parenthood.

Pledge a Protester today!

 

- by Shieva, Web Correspondent, Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota Action Fund

ND Governor Dalrymple Signs Virtual Abortion Ban

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

3/26/13

 

Governor Dalrymple Signs Virtual Abortion Ban;

North Dakota Braces for Litigation as “Personhood” Heads to 2014 Ballot

Fargo, ND – Today, Governor Dalrymple signed a near total abortion ban into law, effectively making North Dakota one of the most hostile states in the country towards women’s health. Governor Dalrymple secured North Dakota’s place in history as the state with the most extreme ban on abortion by signing one bill that will ban safe and legal abortion as early as 6 weeks — before a woman may even know she is pregnant. There are no exceptions if a woman has been the victim of rape, if her health is threatened, or if she will lose the pregnancy due to fetal anomalies. This comes on the heels of last week’s actions by the North Dakota Legislature which launched the state into a bitter, 20-month battle over “personhood” leading up to the 2014 election. Planned Parenthood will work in partnership with a broad coalition of doctors, patients, teachers, lawyers and others to educate our fellow North Dakotans about the far-reaching consequences and impact of “personhood.”

 

The following is a statement by Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota President and CEO, Sarah Stoesz.

“With his signature, today Governor Dalrymple severely compromised the health and well-being of all North Dakota women and their families.”

 

“This sweeping package of bills will not stand up to constitutional scrutiny. But as a result of North Dakota’s leaders’ disregard for women’s health, the state will endure months and years of drawn-out litigation costing taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars. What a reckless and appalling waste of resources.”

 

“One thing became clear during the last few weeks: North Dakotans do not want to see politicians interfering with the personal medical decisions of women. Hundreds of grassroots activists spoke loudly and clearly as these bills moved through the legislature. Planned Parenthood was proud to play a role in amplifying the voices of North Dakotans who bravely stood in opposition to this abortion ban.”

 

“What’s left of the legislature’s all-out assault on women’s health is what will no doubt be a grueling, months-long battle over “personhood” leading up to the 2014 election. “Personhood” measures are so extreme even the most conservative states, like Mississippi, have rejected them. North Dakotans know that decisions about pregnancy and abortion are deeply personal and very complex. The grassroots uprising we saw in Bismarck and Fargo was just a taste of what’s to come as voters in the state learn about the dangers of this constitutional amendment. In 2014, North Dakotans will have the opportunity to stand up to these politicians and say ‘enough is enough.’”

 

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