PPIA Celebrates IL Voters Support of Birth Control Coverage

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Planned Parenthood Illinois Action Celebrates Illinois Voters Support of
Birth Control Coverage

Chicago (11/5/14) — Planned Parenthood Illinois Action (PPIA), the non-partisan political and advocacy arm of Planned Parenthood in Illinois, applauds the two-thirds of Illinois voters who marked “Yes” for insurance coverage of birth control on Tuesday’s ballot.

The General Election ballot included the following advisory question:

Shall any health insurance plan in Illinois that provides prescription drug coverage be required to include prescription birth control as part of that coverage?

“On Tuesday, Illinois voters sent an overwhelming and resounding message when it comes to birth control coverage in health insurance,” said Carole Brite, President and CEO of PPIA. “It’s not your boss’ business!”

PPIA heard its supporters’ outrage after the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Hobby Lobby decision and turned this into action in favor of a “Yes” for birth control. PPIA implemented a comprehensive campaign for Illinois Votes for Birth Control through canvassing, direct mail, phone banks, social media, and email alerts to 200,000 supporters informing them of the ballot question and urging them to vote ‘Yes’ for birth control coverage.

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“Planned Parenthood Illinois Action played a pivotal role in the outcome by turning out thousands of supporters who voted ‘Yes’,” added Brite. “During the weeks before Election Day, we consistently received positive feedback and support for the birth control question. This issue clearly resonated with voters.”

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In June, the Hobby Lobby decision allowed some for-profit corporations to deny their employees’ health insurance coverage for birth control because of their boss’ religious beliefs. The women who work for these companies are at risk of losing an important part of their preventive healthcare coverage. In light of the Hobby Lobby decision, PPIA urged Illinois voters to vote “Yes” on Tuesday so that elected officials would understand that birth control coverage is an important issue for Illinoisans.

“Preventive care, including birth control, is basic healthcare for women — and the decision to use birth control is a conversation between a woman and her doctor, not a woman and her boss,” commented Brite. “We hope that Tuesday’s vote in favor of insurance coverage for birth control will give policy makers the support they need to implement policies ensuring that all Illinois women have access to affordable birth control no matter where they live, who they work for, or how much money they make.”

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Planned Parenthood Illinois Action (PPIA) is an independent, nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization formed as the advocacy and political arm of Planned Parenthood of Illinois (PPIL). For more information, visit www.ppiaction.org.

Contact:
Jacqueline Priego
312-592-6800
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This post was created by Planned Parenthood Illinois Action (PPIA). PPIA is an independent, nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization formed as the advocacy and political arm of Planned Parenthood of Illinois (PPIL).

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Not Your Boss’s Business

Not Your Boss’s Business

By Carole Brite

President & CEO

Planned Parenthood of Illinois

Carole Brite

Last week I listened to a young woman tell her moving story about what affordable birth control has meant for her. The story started with heartbreak and ended with a happy, thriving family.

Diagnosed with endometriosis at age 17, Courtney endured severe pain and far worse, a serious threat to her longstanding dream of being a mother someday.  The only way she managed through her difficult years college and grad school was to get low cost birth control—the most effective treatment—at Planned Parenthood of Illinois. Courtney is now 35, and her two young children are the biggest blessings in her life.

If the owners of two for-profit companies have their way, stories like Courtney’s may not have happy endings for millions of American women and families. This week the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in cases brought by Hobby Lobby, a for-profit chain of arts and crafts stores, and Conestoga Wood Specialties Corp, for-profit cabinetmakers, whose owners claim that their personal beliefs should give them the privilege to pick and choose which parts of the health care law they comply with and which they do not. Despite the fact that the law requires insurance plans to cover birth control, they want the right to deny their employees this coverage.

The owners are cloaking their arguments in claims of religious freedom. Their own, that is. Not yours or mine or someone who works in their cabinet-making shop or rings up customers in an arts and crafts store.

And so the slippery slope begins. If your boss at the arts and craft store can say no to your birth control, what’s next? Imagine a world where your boss could deny your spouse access to a life-saving blood transfusion, or mental health services for your loved ones, or recommended vaccines for your children—all based on nothing more than his or her personal opinions. 

There is so much at stake here, not only for the 27 million women who are already eligible to receive birth control without a co-pay, but for the millions of other Americans who, if the court decides in favor of the owners, could lose coverage of the care they need if their bosses say they don’t believe in it.

Every day at Planned Parenthood, I see how the birth control services and other top quality preventive care we provide is helping women achieve their goals, maintain their health, plan their families, and live financially independent lives. Birth control is basic preventive health care for millions of American women—and the decision to use it should be made by a woman and her doctor, not her boss. Access to basic care should not be dependent upon where you work or your employer’s personal opinions.

We look to the Supreme Court to rule on the side of common sense in the Hobby Lobby and Conestoga Wood Specialties cases. Getting a job at an arts and crafts store is not the same as joining a church, and for-profit corporations are not the same as people who have religious beliefs.  

Your birth control is none of your boss’s business.

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This post was created by Planned Parenthood of Illinois (PPIL). PPIL provides comprehensive reproductive healthcare services and education to more than 60,000 Illinoisans each year. Planned Parenthood Illinois Action (PPIA) is an independent, nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization formed as the advocacy and political arm of PPIL.

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Announcing WE CARE Packages

We care for you no matter at Planned Parenthood of Illinois. That is why we have created WE CARE Packages - comprehensive care at a discounted price available at our Illinois health centers. If you have insurance that’s great, but what if you a high deductible or don’t have any insurance?

WE CARE Packages are package deals with optional WE CARE Package Add-Ons that allow you to get the comprehensive healthcare you need in one appointment at a reduced cost - made specially with our patients without insurance in mind.

There are six package options based on age groups, gender, or reason for your visit. Whether you have something going on down there that you want us to check out, want to get tested before getting involved with a new partner, or simply haven't gotten a check up in a while, there is a WE CARE Package for you. Just follow the  flow chart on our website to find out which package is best for you.

Once you have found a package that sounds right for your needs you are on your way to getting the comprehensive care you need to be healthy. Be sure to look at the add-ons that go hand in hand with the other services you're receiving. You also should not feel obligated to receive all the services in your package; however if you wish to opt out of a particular service that does not lower the cost of your package

Now that you have read what WE CARE packages are all about, find our closest health center to make your next appointment!
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This post was created by Planned Parenthood of Illinois (PPIL). PPIL provides comprehensive reproductive healthcare services and education to more than 60,000 Illinoisans each year. Planned Parenthood Illinois Action (PPIA) is an independent, nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization formed as the advocacy and political arm of PPIL.

Connect with PPIL on Google+ and LinkedIn.
Connect with PPIA on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and YouTube.
Subscribe to our blog feed.