A Meerkat's Bolthole

one of the things I've always loved about PP is the fact that their name says it all. Not "pro-choice" or "pro-life" but planned parenthood. Isn't that something we all should be able to agree on, that parenthood is something you should plan for, look forward to, anticipate, not an "oh, whoops, oh shit, what do we do now?" moment? "

George W Bush doesn't seem to think so. Quelle surprise! While I'm not about to say "one and only one kind of anything" should get federal funding, this move seems designed to specifically attack multiple-option clinics to benefit specifically anti-abortion groups. So let's block him, one last and hopefully final time....
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Dear Concerned Citizen:

We have just received news that President Bush is trying to
sell-out women's health in the most unbelievable way. Here's
how:

The Bush administration is about to release a rule that will
make it possible for federal funding that is specifically
designed to prevent unintended pregnancy and promote
reproductive health to now be used for anything but that.

If it happens, it will be a massive betrayal of women and
families, and we must stop it. We need you to
speak out. Please let President Bush know that this change is
very wrong:
http://www.ppaction.org/campaign/spp08adv2?rk=xdqKFl41fKDNE

A little background on this outrageous situation...

We've known for some time that anti-choice extremists have
wanted President Bush to deliver them some sort of "gift" before
he leaves office. This rule change is just that gift. And here's
what one of the most egregious results could be:

Right now, anti-choice groups run so-called "crisis pregnancy
centers" in communities all around the country -- often a block
or two away from Planned Parenthood affiliate health centers.
These facilities look like health centers, but in reality are
run by anti-choice zealots who deliver only the reproductive
health care options that fit their agenda. No birth control, no
abortion -- and no choice for women and families who need it.

If this rule takes effect, they're likely to receive a massive
influx of our tax dollars to expand their deceptive operations
and to attract hundreds of thousands of women who think they'll
be getting medical care but instead will receive a large dose of
anti-choice ideology.

I believe that tricking women when they are most vulnerable is
wrong -- and the federal government shouldn't pay people to do
it.

It gets worse. The rule would also require entities that receive
family planning funding, like Planned Parenthood, to certify
that we will not refuse to hire nurses and other providers who
object to abortion and even certain types of birth control.
Between deceptive "crisis pregnancy centers" delivering woefully
incomplete care and legitimate health centers with extremely
limited funding, hundreds of thousands of women are at enormous
risk.

We have a chance to stop it. So, beginning right now and with
your help, we are:

:: Launching a massive public outcry against the president's
rule:
http://www.ppaction.org/campaign/spp08adv2?rk=xdqKFl41fKDNE

:: Raising as much money as we possibly can:
https://secure.ga0.org/02/spp08/nTpqKFl41fZU7?source=spp08e1dppol

One more thing -- Planned Parenthood Federation of America has
been standing up for and serving women, men, and families in
this country for more than 90 years. The next few days and weeks
will be an immense challenge, but know this: We are here for
this fight. We need you here with us.

Thank you in advance. More soon.

Sincerely,

Cecile Richards, President
Planned Parenthood Federation of America

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The head of the federal agency responsible for providing women with access to contraceptives and pregnancy counseling resigned unexpectedly Thursday after Medicaid officials took action against him in Massachusetts.

The Health and Human Services Department provided no details about the nature of the Massachusetts action that led to Dr. Eric Keroack's resignation.

Just five months ago, Keroack was chosen by President Bush to oversee HHS' Office of Population Affairs and its $283 million annual budget. The pick angered Planned Parenthood and other pro-abortion rights groups that viewed him as opposed to birth control and comprehensive sex education. Keroack had worked for an organization that opposes contraception.

''Yesterday, Dr. Eric Keroack alerted us to an action taken against him by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts' Office of Medicaid. As a result of this action I accepted his resignation,'' Dr. John Agwunobi, assistant secretary for health, said in a terse statement Thursday evening.

Massachusetts Medicaid officials did not return phone calls seeking comment.

Models Flunk BMI, Get Spain Fashion Boot
By DANIEL WOOLLS, Associated Press Writer
Fri Sep 8, 3:28 PM

MADRID, Spain - Spain's top fashion show has turned away a slew of models on grounds they are too skinny _ an unprecedented swipe at body images blamed for encouraging eating disorders among young people.

Organizers of the pageant, known as the Pasarela Cibeles, used a mathematical formula to calculate the models' body mass index _ a measure of their weight in relation to their height _ and 30 percent of the women flunked, said the Association of Fashion Designers of Spain.

The association said Friday it wanted models at the show running from Sept. 18-22 to project "an image of beauty and health" and shun a gaunt, emaciated look.

( Read more... )

A PSA if you live in one of the affected states...



"In Ohio, women may lose direct access to their ob/gyns, coverage for infertility treatment, and coverage for cervical cancer screenings.

In New Hampshire, women may lose coverage for contraceptives, direct access to their ob/gyns, and coverage for maternity care.

In Tennessee, women may lose coverage for osteoporosis screenings and direct access to their ob/gyns.

Most sexually active women aged 15-44 have used birth control.But who's paying for it? If Sen. Michael Enzi (R-WY) has his
way, insurance companies in almost every state won't have to. Next week, the Senate will consider a bill introduced by Sen.
Enzi that would allow insurance companies to ignore state laws that protect patients, including laws that prohibit insurance
companies from covering some prescription drugs, but not birth control.

Urge your senator to vote against S. 1955.
http://www.ppaction.org/campaign/enzi_bill

For years many insurance plans covered prescription drugs, but refused to cover birth control pills and other prescription
contraceptives for women. Planned Parenthood spent nearly a decade convincing lawmakers in 23 states to remedy this inequity.
Sen. Enzi's bill threatens to reverse this progress by overriding state laws that protect patients, including laws that
require coverage for prescription contraceptives, cervical cancer screenings, maternity care, mental health treatment, and
dozen of other benefits guaranteed under state law.

Speak out now. If you live in an affected state, urge your senator to vote No on S. 1955.


Thank you,

Cecile Richards
President
Planned Parenthood Federation of America"