North Dakota Planned Parenthood Advocate

Demand the Defeat of, yet another, Abortion Ban in ND

Decisions about pregnancy are not for Senator Joe Miller or any other politician to make!

SB 2368 could have devastating consequences when a woman is experiencing medical complications. Most abortions take place in the first trimester of pregnancy. While later abortions are quite uncommon, it is important that a woman and her doctor have every medical option available. In states that have passed laws like this, some women and their families have been put into heartbreaking and tragic situations — needing to end a pregnancy for serious medical reasons, but unable to do so.

Call your state Representative right now at 701-328-3373 and urge a No vote on SB2368.

SB 2368 bill is about politics, not medicine. The bill has only narrow exceptions for a woman’s life and no exceptions for victims of rape or incest, or fetal anomaly. Some of the most dangerous pregnancy-related conditions occur or are diagnosed after 20 weeks.

The very narrow exception for a ‘medical emergency’ leaves many scenarios where a woman’s health may be at risk, but where a doctor — for fear of being prosecuted or simply because a woman’s health crisis does not rise to the definition of medical emergency — would not be able to offer a woman care she needs during what may be the most difficult time in her life.

While it is important for women’s health to be continuously improved based on scientific advancement, doctors, not politicians, should decide what information and care is best for their patients.

Bans on abortion after 20 weeks are often based on the mistaken idea that a fetus can experience pain. The world’s leading medical institutions that establish standards for reproductive health care, including the highly respected and trusted American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists as well as the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, agree that at 20 weeks, a fetus does not possess the structural and functional neurological capacity to experience pain.

Call your state Representative right now at 701-328-3373 to urge a No Vote on SB2368

Share Your Story

The 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.

We need to educate the public 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.

Victory for Fargo Teens: Sex Education Program Will Proceed

BISMARCK, ND – Today legislators stripped the Grande amendment from Senate Bill 2368, which would have ended a partnership between North Dakota State University (NDSU) and Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota (PPMNS) to provide sex education to at-risk youth in Fargo. As a result, the competitive $1.2 million grant, awarded in September 2012, will be used by NDSU to launch a three-year sex education program for Fargo-area teens in partnership with Planned Parenthood.

Following is a statement from Sarah Stoesz, PPMNS President and CEO of PPMNS.

“Today, the health and well-being of North Dakota teens prevailed over politics.”

“We are gratified by the conference committee’s vote and we are ready to move forward. Preventing teen pregnancy helps break the cycle of poverty, improves educational attainment, and improves health outcomes. Because the health and well-being of our young people is paramount, we’re thrilled that we can continue this teen pregnancy prevention and life-skills building program in North Dakota.”

“We’re also very pleased that NDSU will be able to move forward with this important research which will no doubt inform public health programs for young people for years to come in the state. The professors we are partnering with at NDSU are experts in adolescent health and we are proud to work with them going forward.”

Another Abortion ban in North Dakota?!?!

As you know last week Governor Dalrymple signed a sweeping package of bills that could ban abortion in North Dakota.  However, there is a fourth abortion bill that would undermine women’s ability to make their own medical decisions and would halt a teen pregnancy prevention program in North Dakota.

SB 2368 yet another regulation on abortion; however, the bill was amended to include a direct attack on a Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP) run in partnership with North Dakota State University and Planned Parenthood. Coined the Grande Amendment for Representative Bette Grande (R-Fargo) who brought forth the amendment just weeks she instigated an attack on the same program resulting in the North Dakota Attorney General’s opinion. ND Attorney General Wayne Stenjhem said ‘The decision rendered by the 8^th Circuit Court of Appeals, in Valley Family Planning v. State of N.D., 661 F2d 99 (8^th Cir. 1981) completely invalidated N.D.C.C.  Section 14-02.3-02’- the exact language Grande is attempting to re-insert into SB2368.

It’s time for us to raise our voices and speak out!

This voluntarly program would serve teens who are homeless or currently in the foster-care system. They are already sexually active and they have a much higher than average risk of experiencing an unintended pregnancy during their teen years. This program could make a real difference for them. Beyond providing them with basic sex education – everything from abstinence to birth control and avoiding STIs – this program would also teach them the life skills they desperately need.

You can help stop SB 2368 and the Grande Amendment before it gets to the Governor’s desk.   Your legislators in Bismarck need to hear from you. Tell them to vote No on SB 2368 and the Grande (gran-dee) amendment.

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, Minot, Grand Forks 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.’”

What's next for the Abortion bans in North Dakota?

Friday the North Dakota House voted on a series of abortion related bills. Debate on the floor went on for nearly two hours. In the end…

SB 2305- What is termed a TRAP bill- targeted regulation of abortion providers- could effectively ban abortion in North Dakota. 2305 is similar to a Mississippi law, currently in costly litigation, which intends to regulate abortion about of existence. The bill imposes a medically unjustified requirement that any physican providing abortion have admitting privileges at a local hospital.                      

                            Passed 58-34     Next Step: Urge a veto from the Governor

SB 2368 – An abortion ban that was amended to halt a teen pregnancy prevention program run by North Dakota State University in partnership with Planned Parenthood.                                     

                             Passed 60-32      Next Step: Senate vote

SCR 4009- An amendment to the North Dakota Constittion to protect life at every stage of development. This language will be placed on the November, 2014 ballot.

                            Passed 57- 35      Next Step: A statewide ballot measure

SB 2303- A Personhood bill that could have banned abortion with no exception, limited access to IFV, and closed women’s health centers.

                            Failed 43-49

Thank you for all your hard work and for reaching out to your legislators! You can contact Governor Dalyrmple at  701-484-0521 to urge a veto of all the abortion bans heading to his desk. The bill numbers are SB2305, SB2368, HB1305 and HB1465. Or you can take an on-line action him here!

What a line! 'Where vacuous ideas go to die'.

It is a MAJOR media day for reproductive rights in North Dakota! North Dakota’s largest media outlet, The Fargo Forum, editorialized on the extreme package of abortion bills soon to hit the desk of Governor Dalrymple.  It reads “A dedicated cabal of zealots has been pushing the legislation. They have threatened political consequences if lawmakers don’t vote their way. Legislators who normally are motivated by common sense have been cowed.”

Make sure to read the piece in its entirety!

And if you missed it, the Forum published an editorial yesterday chastising legislators for amending and anti abortion bill in an effort to block a teen pregnancy prevention program (SB2368).

The best line reads ‘The amendment is legislation at its worst. It is an unapologetic misuse of the legislative process. It should be stripped from the host bill and sent to the place where vacuous ideas go to die.” 

Today the North Dakota house will determine the fate these bills.  It is expected the bills will pass and make their way to the desk of the Governor to sign or veto. Now is the time to Speak Out! Call the Governor and tell him to veto all of abortion bills! You can dial 1-701-484-0521.

Call the Governor Today!

North Dakota sure has changed. I was raised on a farm and in my short 26 years here in North Dakota, I have seen this state turn into something almost unrecognizable. Many of the people that I once felt I could trust with decisions about my state and my being have turned away from what represents me, a young female, living in what should be an increasingly feminist-friendly world.

This session has seen some great legislation, but others that are, at best, like a wolf in sheep’s clothing.  Take for example SB 2305 which states that a physician providing abortions must have admitting privileges at a local hospital, and in order to get admitting privileges, you must admit 9 patients per year.  It sounds nice, but in reality, if there was an abortion doctor admitting that many patients in a single year, they would no longer be in practice. SCR 4009 isn’t any better. It gives a fertilized egg the same rights as you and I, which doesn’t sound imposing until you realize that because the embryos have the same rights as you do, you must pay to cryogenically freeze the remaining eggs for eternity. SB 2303, 2368 and HB 1456 and 1305 aren’t an improvement and each will come with a hefty litigation price just to prove what we already know--that they are unconstitutional.

But what can you do? You may say to yourself that that you’re not qualified, not comfortable, and not educated enough to share your opinion, but YOU ARE!  

Start right now by picking up the phone, dialing  701-484-0521 and asking the Governor to veto HB 1305 and 1456.

Go online and follow several women’s rights pages to stay informed or come to rallies, such as the Stand Up for Women- North Dakota rallies coming up this Monday, April 25^th in Fargo, Grand Forks, and Bismarck and ask someone (like me!) what you can do to help. Knowledge is power, ladies and gentlemen. Let’s take our state back.  

 

By: Britta S., North Dakota Grassroots Organizer for Planned Parenthood MN,ND,SD Action Fund

And Rise We Did!

On Monday nearly 200 women took to the halls of our state capitol in Bismarck as part of We Rise: Women Empowered.

In the eight years I’ve spent working in our state on behalf of women and families, I’ve never seen anything like this. From Fargo to Minot, Grand Forks to Bismarck, women from across the state gathered to discuss with lawmakers the most pressing issues facing all North Dakotans. North Dakota women sent a clear message: Lawmakers, the women of North Dakota are watching. No matter what happens in Bismarck, we stand with for women and our resolve to protect a woman’s ability to make her own personal medical decisions without interference from politicians could never be stronger.

But the real work in not over! You can still join the hundreds of women who took action by contacting your state Senator to vote NO on these extreme bills.

We’re calling for a stop to frivolous legislation that hurts women. The women of North Dakota expect real solutions to the real problems facing our state – not government intrusion into private medical decisions.

I know our work made a difference. More than twelve hundred petitions were delivered to our leaders in Bismarck telling them we’ve had enough with attacks on women’s health - and our timing couldn't have been better.

TODAY, the Senate is voting on these dangerous bills. That's why we need you to speak up now. So please, join us, and take action on behalf of all North Dakotan women and families today.

Sincerely,

Amy Jacobson North Dakota Public Affairs Manager

Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota

Sign the Petition to Stop 'Personhood' in North Dakota

Right now North Dakota is at the center of the battle for women’s health issues and reproductive freedom.  North Dakota legislators are considering an extreme and dangerous “personhood” measure that would ban abortion-with no exceptions for rape and incest, close women's health care centers, and limit In Vitro Fertilization care in our state. 

The state Senate has already passed these extreme “personhood” measures and the state House vote will be coming soon. Act now!

If passed, “personhood” in North Dakota would be the most extreme and intrusive anti-women’s health legislation in the country.  Similar legislation has been rejected over and over, from Colorado and Ohio to Mississippi and Oklahoma, and for good reason- it has no place in any state or in the life of any woman. 

Fortunately, we still have time to act and make sure that our elected leaders reject “personhood” in North Dakota.  We need voters across the state to take action and tell our leaders in the state house that “personhood” is dangerous for the women and families of North Dakota.   Supporters of women’s health should also advocate to Governor Jack Dalrymple because if this extreme legislation were to pass in the state house he could still use his veto power to stop “personhood” from being the law of the land. 

Here at Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota we have created a petition asking members of the House and the Governor to say no to “personhood” for North Dakota.  If we are going to defeat this intrusive legislation we need everyone to speak up in support of women’s health and add their name to our petition now!  Please take a few moments to sign our petition.