Repro Health Watch

Thanks, Birth Control! | November 10, 2015 Almost all women, from all religious backgrounds, will use contraception at some point in their lives. Contraception helps women protect their health, plan their families, pursue their education and participate in the workforce. But all too often, cost and other barriers prevent women from obtaining the care they need. As the U.S. Supreme Court prepares to hear another case attacking birth control, this issue of Repro Health Watch takes a look at the states that have taken great steps this year to improve access to contraception.   Colo. Family Planning Program Linked to 48% Decline in Teen Birth, Abortion Rates The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment announced that a program designed to increase access to long-acting reversible contraceptives continues to help curb abortion and birthrates for teenagers in the state, although its future funding remains unclear, the Colorado Springs Gazette reports. More » D.C. Council Approves Bill To Allow Pharmacies To Dispense Year's Worth of Contraceptives The Washington, D.C., City Council gave final approval to legislation that would require health plans in the District to authorize pharmacies to dispense up to a one-year supply of contraceptives at one time, the Washington Post reports. More » More State Medicaid Programs Covering Postpartum LARC Insertion The University of Michigan released this map, along with a study, showing how state Medicaid programs increasingly are reimbursing for the immediate postpartum provision of long-acting reversible contraception. Ore. Governor Signs Another Bill To Improve Contraceptive Access Oregon Gov. Kate Brown (D) signed a bill (HB 2879) into law that permits women to obtain contraception without a prescription from a physician, the AP/San Francisco Chronicle reports.  More » NYC Health Dept. Launches Campaign To Raise Awareness of Contraception Options The New York City Health Department recently announced the launch of "Maybe the IUD," a public education campaign to increase awareness of the intrauterine device and other contraceptive methods, NPR's "Shots" reports. More » Mich. Lawmakers Propose Legislation To Reduce Unintended Pregnancies Lawmakers in Michigan unveiled multiple bills aimed at reducing unintended pregnancies in the state, the AP/Sacramento Bee reports.  More » Ohio County Approves Contract with Planned Parenthood for LARC Pilot Program Uninsured and underinsured women in Mahoning County, Ohio, will have access to long-acting reversible contraceptives via a new Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio pilot program, the Youngstown Vindicator reports. More » Click on the map to see what's going on in your state:

EDITORS Debra Ness, publisher & president, National Partnership Sarah Lipton-Lubet, associate editor & director of reproductive health programs, National Partnership Jessi Leigh Swenson, associate editor & senior policy counsel, National Partnership Freya Riedlin, associate editor & reproductive health law fellow, National Partnership Lauren Sogor, assistant editor & health communications manager, National Partnership Cindy Romero, assistant editor & communications associate, National Partnership Marcelle Maginnis, associate editor Justyn Ware, senior editor Amanda Wolfe, senior director Joe Infantino, Rachel Schulze, staff writers Tucker Ball, chief digital officer, National Partnership CONTACT INFO For questions about your e-mail subscription or content contained within Repro Health Watch: Email Us » Subscribe (Unsubscribe) » The information contained in this publication reflects media coverage of women's health issues and does not necessarily reflect the views of the National Partnership for Women & Families. The Women's Health Policy Report is a free service of the National Partnership for Women & Families, by The Advisory Board Company. 1875 Connecticut Avenue NW Suite 650 Washington, DC 20009 202.986.2600 info@nationalpartnership.org www.NationalPartnership.org

Dear Dot Calm's Shadow,

It's been three months since the first heavily edited, deceptive video by the Center for Medical Progress was released with the sole intent of dragging down Planned Parenthood. Since then, at least 7 state-level investigations and four federal inquiries have found no evidence of wrongdoing at any of Planned Parenthood's clinics.¹

Anti-choice politicians are *obsessed* with restricting abortion access by any means necessary. That's why the House voted to create a special Benghazi-style committee to attack and investigate Planned Parenthood—despite how totally redundant that is.

Luckily, House Democrats get to pack the committee, too—and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi just announced an ideal list of pro-choice all-stars.²

Will you add your name to tell these pro-choice champs you stand with them as they defend Planned Parenthood and fight off relentless, outrageous attacks?

When Pelosi released her list of names, we were thrilled. Pro-choice heroes like Rep. Jan Schakowsky (Ill.), Jerrold Nadler (N.Y.), Jackie Speier (Calif.), Suzan DelBene (Wash.) and Bonnie Watson Coleman (N.J.) will be on the frontlines defending reproductive freedom. Speier even spoke passionately about her own abortion on the House floor in 2011—the last time the House tried to defund the nation's most trusted provider of women's health care.³

But they'll have to go up against a tough roster of anti-choice Republican representatives who will be determined to drag Planned Parenthood's name through the mud just like they tried to do to Hillary Clinton at last month's Benghazi hearing.

These representatives will need to know we've got their backs. Click here to add your name.

We'll be sure to keep you in the loop on how the committee progresses in the coming months. Thank you for all you do for reproductive freedom.


Sasha Bruce
Senior Vice President, NARAL Pro-Choice America

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Sources:

1. Missouri Joins Growing List of States Unable to Pin Anything on Planned Parenthood, New York Magazine, September 29, 2015.
2. Pelosi picks six Dems for Planned Parenthood panel, The Hill, November 4, 2015.
3. California congresswoman who had abortion to serve on Planned Parenthood committee, Los Angeles Times, November 5, 2015.