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
__________________________________________________________________________

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).

Connect with PPIA on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and YouTube.
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Planned Parenthood Illinois Action Endorses Pat Quinn for Governor

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Planned Parenthood Illinois Action Announces
Endorsement of Pat Quinn for Governor

Chicago (10/16/14) —Planned Parenthood Illinois Action (PPIA), the non-partisan political and advocacy arm of Planned Parenthood in Illinois, today announced its endorsement of Governor Pat Quinn for the November 4th election.

“Governor Pat Quinn has been upfront on his positions for his entire career. Pat Quinn knows that abortion is a deeply personal and often complex decision for a woman,” said Pam Sutherland, Vice President of Public Policy for Planned Parenthood Illinois Action. “Quinn has always trusted women and believes politicians cannot make private medical decisions for us.”

PPIA considers a candidate’s record to be a true measure of his or her positions when it comes to access to women’s health care. On the day of the Supreme Court’s decision in the Hobby Lobby case, Pat Quinn came out strongly for insurance coverage of birth control for all women no matter where they work.

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“Governor Quinn thinks basic preventive health care is a right for all women,” said Sutherland. “He knows that it’s not your boss’ business.”

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Governor Quinn made sure that all those receiving health care through Medicaid have access to a full range of family planning services. In addition, Pat Quinn believes that youth need accurate information to stay safe and healthy. Therefore, he signed into law important updates to Illinois’ sexual health education law ensuring that sex education classes are medically accurate, age-appropriate, and complete.

“Seeing the repeated attacks on women’s healthcare across the country, we know the importance of electing candidates who clearly support access to reproductive health care, including birth control and abortion services,” said Pam Sutherland. “It is essential that we elect candidates like Pat Quinn who we know will stand up for women, no matter what.”

PPIA engages in educational and electoral activity, including public education campaigns, grassroots organizing and legislative advocacy on behalf of commonsense policies that protect the reproductive health and rights of women, teens and families. All pro-choice/pro-Planned Parenthood incumbents receive an endorsement regardless of the position of the opponent. To see the full list of PPIA endorsed candidates online, visit www.ppiaction.org.

Voters can now access information about candidates in one place with the newly launched online Voter Guide, a voter education tool built by the Planned Parenthood Action Fund in collaboration with Planned Parenthood Illinois Action and other Planned Parenthood advocacy organizations across the country. The online Voter Guide has been optimized for both desktop computers and mobile devices, so that voters in Illinois can take information and ratings on where candidates stand on issues of importance to women right into the voter booth. To access the Voter Guide, visit www.ppactionvoterguide.org.

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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).

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

Technorati tags: Planned Parenthood

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.

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

10 Fun, Freaky, Fabulous Facts About Condoms

As the nation’s largest provider of sex education, Planned Parenthood works every day to reduce the number of sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancies and to keep people healthy. In conjunction with Valentine’s Day and National Condom Week (February 14-21), let’s take a look at some FACTS ABOUT CONDOMS AND CONDOMS USE. Some are mind-blowing, some are straight to the point. Enjoy and be safe!  

Recursos en Español con más infomación sobre los condones al final.

1. Condoms can actually HELP your sex life!
Contrary to popular belief that condoms do nothing for your mojo, people who use condoms rate their sexual experiences just as pleasurable as people who don’t.

2. Easy peasy!
Unlike other forms of birth control, you don’t need a prescription to get condoms. They’re one of the most accessible and affordable types of birth control.

3. All the single ladies…
According to a 2008 study by the Guttmacher Institute, only 19% of single women aged 20 to 44 always use condoms. What’s up with that, ladies? Protect yourself!

4. Yabba Dabba Doo!
The earliest known illustration of someone using a condom is a 12,000+ year old cave painting. Guess we missed that episode of The Flintstones!

5. Silent but violent
Most people who have an STD don’t even realize it, since many STDs cause no immediate symptoms. For example, 75% of women and 50% of men with chlamydia have no symptoms.

6. Variety is the spice of life
There are plenty of different kinds of condoms out there. (non-latex, FC2 female condoms, flavored, colored, ribbed, etc.). Wonder if there are any red hot cinnamon-flavored ones for Valentine’s Day?

7. Dynamic duo
Even if you’re using another method of birth control, you may be at risk of getting an STD. Condoms+birth control = the best way to prevent both pregnancy and STDs. So put one on before you get it on!

8. HIV fighter
When it comes to HIV, using a condom makes sex 10,000 TIMES SAFER than not using one.

9. Don’t worry, be happy. Very happy.
Condoms are a good way to feel more relaxed about your sex life. Many people say they find sex more enjoyable when they use condoms because they aren’t worrying about STDs or unintended pregnancy.

10. COMMUNICATE!
Yeah, we know talking about safe sex with your partner can be hard. But it’s important to communicate. Develop a plan and practice what you will say to your partner. Don’t be shy about communicating your needs and feelings. Send a message that condom use is essential every single time you have sex. A partner who respects you, respects your health, and their health as well.

New to condom use or need a refresher, check out the videos below.

• How to Use a Condom in English
• Cómo Usar Un Condón
• Planned Parenthood: Condoms in English 
• Planned Parenthood: Condones
• The Female Condom in English
• Condón Femenino

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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.

Update on birth control pricing

Thanks to people who took action around the country, Congressman Crowley (D-NY) introduced the Prevention through Affordable Access Bill (H.R. 4054), last week with 103 cosponsors! This important bill would fix the problem of skyrocketing birth control prices for college students and low-income women.

Now Senator Obama is circulating a dear colleague letter to prepare for introducing similar legislation in the Senate.

Please urge Senator Durbin to become a cosponsor of this legislation!

As you know from prior posts on this issue, on some college campuses, birth control has gone from $5 or $10 to $40 or $50 dollars because of an inadvertent act of Congress. Some college health centers have stopped providing birth control at all. This pricing affects over 3 million college students and 750,000 low-income women and is having a devastating impact on women and families nationwide.

Fixing this problem doesn't cost Congress or taxpayers a dime, but will allow university health centers and safety net providers to offer affordable birth control to women who need it.

Technorati tags: Barack Obama, Dick Durbin, affordable birth control, Planned Parenthood Action Illinois

Take action for affordable birth control

If you've been reading this blog for awhile, you've read about a critically important issue facing students and other low-income individuals: skyrocketing birth control prices.

Last year, Congress changed a law which, for nearly twenty years, has allowed pharmaceutical companies to provide birth control pills at very low cost to certain health care providers. In doing so, Congress inadvertently cut off college and university health centers and some community health providers from obtaining birth control at low cost.

On some college campuses, birth control has gone from $5 or $10 to $40 or $50 dollars. Some college health centers have stopped providing birth control at all. This pricing affects over 3 million college students and 750,000 low-income women and is having a devastating impact on women and families nationwide.

Tell your member of Congress to fix the problem by making a small change in the law. It doesn't cost Congress or taxpayers a dime, but will allow university health centers and safety net providers to offer affordable birth control to women who need it.

Illinois Representative Mark Kirk, as an original co-sponsor, deserves a shout out for helping to get this legisation off the ground. Representative Jan Schakowsky also deserves thanks for signing on.

Please let your Representative know how you feel about this issue.