I am going to be in the paper!

I was asked to write a letter to the editor regarding the recent legislation that was passed taking away government funding from Planned Parenthood as well as Title X funding.

This is the biggest attack on women's reproductive health rights in a really long time. This attack means that women that are not insured would not be able to get affordable cancer screenings, HIV/STI testing and treatment, well woman exams, and contraceptives. As stated in my previous blog this is very needed in this country to help prevent un intended pregnancies. I find it ironic that the GOP is trying to take away these services that help to prevent un intended pregnancies and keep the numbers of abortions down.
It seems as though they will do anything to oppress women and make sure we understand that they are in charge.

The vote is going before the Senate next. It is very important everyone contacts their Senators in Washington and ask them to vote against this bill.

Here is what I wrote for the Kansas City Star- which will be published in the next few days.

Rep. Mike Pence’s “Title X Abortion Provider Prohibition Act” would have a devastating impact on women’s health care across the country. Title X funding provides family planning, annual exams, cancer screenings, and treatment for sexually transmitted infections - all services provided by Planned Parenthood.

More than 90 percent of the health care services offered by Planned Parenthood are preventative and Title X helps fund those types of services, making them affordable for low income women. In many rural areas this is the only place women have to go for family planning services. Title X services are incredibly effective, helping to prevent nearly one million unintended pregnancies each year, almost half of which would otherwise end in abortion.

Title X has played a critical role in our nation’s health care system for over 40 years. Rep. Mike Pence’s proposed bill is a clear attack on women’s reproductive rights and Planned Parenthood. I encourage all to tell their Representatives that this bill is extremely counter productive, and will not only increase the number of unintended pregnancies but also the number of abortions in the United States, which is the exact opposite of what Planned Parenthood and their opposition want.

What I  know today is that I can relate to the women that fought for abortion rights, and to the women that fought for our right to vote. I know that women have come a long way in equal rights but that there may never be a day where we are truly equal. I know that until there is an equal rights ammendment, until we are paid the same, until we are no longer beaten, oppressed and controlled reproductively there will always be a fight. And that this is a fight worth fighting.