Debra Ness, President
Sometimes I think there’s not much that can surprise me. But last week proved that theory wrong: the U.S. House of Representatives voted to prohibit federal funds for health care services provided by Planned Parenthood, and eliminate funding for all Title X family planning services, which are the sole source of health care for millions of low-income and uninsured women in this nation. And because, apparently, even that wasn’t enough, they also voted to defund the federal agencies and personnel that are working to implement health reform, which is the greatest advance for women’s health in a generation.
House leaders are willing to risk shutting down the federal government in order to advance their anti-woman, anti-reform agenda.
If these measures pass the Senate, unintended pregnancies in this country will skyrocket, fewer women will be screened for breast and cervical cancers and sexually transmitted infections, and women’s health will suffer terribly because millions of women will lose their primary source of health care. Planned Parenthood clinics in communities across the country will be at risk for closing.
Representatives Jackie Speier and Gwen Moore helped remind us about what is at stake with these votes when they shared their personal stories. They drove home the stakes in this debate, and the human impact of what the House is trying to do. Their courage made it even more appalling to watch a majority of their colleagues callously vote to take away women’s health care.
We are counting on our Senators and President Obama to block these short-sighted, dangerous cuts, and to stand strong for women and their families. Tell your Senators: hands off my health care (and family planning too)!
Woman’s health and family planning services should not be denied to those hundreds of thousands of women who rely on them.
planned parenthood does not promote abortion you’ve all lied to the public there how sorry, just to stir up your agenda
let’s be realistic about cuts to important programs. Many low income women depend on Planned Parenthood for family planning and health care.
Let’s start to look at huge corporate loopholes to bring down the budget deficit.
Isn’t that wiser than having more people in pverty and without health care?
The Senate has a nice cushy health care package ( at the taxpayers expense, or course). Time for you to consider those you are supposed to represent as well
Isn’t it time the GOP and the Low-Information voters kept their hands and goals off the backs of women and Middle-America? Yes, it is. So keep your hands off my health care and women’s family planning.
Joe C.
Planned Parenthood was invaluable to me when I was a young woman, working part-time and putting myself through college, but uninsured. They advised me that some health complications were the result of the IUD I was using, and helped me decide on another form of birth control. That IUD, the Dalkon Shield, became the object of huge, successful, class-action lawsuit for the harm it caused so many women. Because of Planned Parenthood, I was saved further health problems, and today have two healthy, wonderful daughters.
Dear Senators Warner and Webb,
I request that you do not support the House actions concerning health care and family planning. The action of the House is not in the best interest of Americans either male or female.
The statement just sent is my reply.
Join us at http://oursilverribbon.org/
Wear a Silver Ribbon if you TRUST Women with reproductive health decisions.
check out this map http://bit.ly/WeHaveAVoice
and share you stories about reproductive rights to STOP this war on birth control.
Dear Senators Karl Levin and Debbie Stabenow:
Just a reminder to vote against this insanity to rid women of the availability to family planning and health screenings through Family Planning and Title X.
I teach at a public high school where many students, some of them poor, are sexually active. Cutting this funding could drastically change their lives for the worse. With so many people lacking any kind of health insurance we are closing the door to any reproductive health care for countless women.
Ms. Ness,
Not sure how you got my e-mail address. Howver, as a team member of Rachel’s Vineyard – a worldwide organization devoted to helping post-abortive women & men heal after suffering thee negative consequences of elected abortion – let me say that from my expeience Planned Parenthood does little to advance women’s health. Perhaps a few questions may be in order. What of women actually receive screenings for breast & cervical cancer? What percentage are seen for sexually transmitted diseases? How can the long term mental/emotional pain suffered as a result of abortion be characterized as pro-family, pro-women & good health care?
How can the taking of innocent life be characterized as good health care?? As women, we intuitively know its not.
Since 1973 – Roe vs. Wade – 53 million Americans (an entire generation) have lost their lives to abortion. Statistically this has had a known effect on our tax base & continues to hurt an already weak economy.
Therefore, I will not support any effort in Congress to re-instate $370 million dollars to support the coffers of Planned Parenthood. Sincerely,
Lorraine Hession
Healthier women mean healthier children. Please! Do NOT support the House plan to defund Planned Parenthood. This is the only health care option open to many women who are pregnant or in need of gynecological care. These cuts are truly un-American. Say “NO”. Thank you.
The actions in the House of Representatives to prohibit funding of health care services provided by Planned Parenthood and to defund the agencies that are to implement health care reform is dangerous, inhumane, irresponsible, and counter to what our elected representatives are meant to do. It is astonishing that Congress’ games playing will go so far as to put American lives at risk in order to control the country.
I am exhausted with the games and brinksmanship our representatives are playing with our government and American lives. This is more than about funding. It is about a power struggle using Americans as pawns.
I urge you to stop this destructive nonsense. Please stop the actions of the House to prohibit funding of Planned Parenthood and to defund the health reform law. Please be responsible and responsive to what the majority of Americans do want.
Already wrote to Mr. Aaron Schock to voice my opinion. BE HEARD! Call your senator’s office, write a letter, GET LOUD!
when the health of an individual becomes political, the obvious divide must be decided based upon human rights.
should i have a decision on the birth of a “deformed” or “challenged” baby? such a child will siphon off vast amounts of “public” funds. my answer to me is a resounding and echoing “NO!”
what skewed and convenient logic can argue against an individual making their own choices? it happens every day, and i support the integrity of the individual in each decision, even though it may NOT be my own.
I request that you do not support the House actions concerning health care and family planning. The action of the House is not in the best interest of Americans either male or female.
Women must have all rights including health care. We are important and powerful.
Do not cut any family planning and birth control in the upcoming Federal budget. Access to birth control and family planning information is a human right, a medical right, a woman’s right, and a medical necessity! More, not less, reproductive rights is embraced by a huge majority of Americans and the money is there. Forced pregnacy and sexually-transmitted disease is not a choice and policy- it can be murder.
Do not kill birth control and its public support in the budget.
The vital work of planned parenthood should be vigerously supported.
It is so unfortunate that the work of generations of women, to advance women’s rights and women’s health, is being summarily attacked by the extreme actions of a small number of representatives and senators both at the federal and state levels. The are acting against the will of the majority. Except for Jane Velez-Mitchel, who calls it “the war on women,” the broadcast and cable media rarely cover these issues.
I hope young women will take up these family planning issues because they are at the core of women’s rights.
What is going on is appalling. The Republicans want a two segment society. Very rich and very poor and they will lie and cheat to accomplish it. Since there are more of “us” than “them” let us really stand together and keep our hard won rights. Donate, write to Congress people and most of all VOTE. Vote them back out of office and keep them out.