Planned Parenthood Northern New England - Action Fund

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Planned Parenthood believes that all Americans should be guaranteed access to quality, affordable health care.

Nationwide, more than 850 Planned Parenthood health centers provide a wide range of reproductive health care to millions of women every year. The vast majority, more than 90 percent, of this health care is preventive — and includes contraception, cancer screenings, testing for sexually transmitted infections, and immunizations. Such reproductive health care is basic health care, and must be covered by any national health insurance plan if we are to meet women’s health care needs.

Essential community providers like Planned Parenthood health centers are already critical to making health care affordable and accessible in their communities.  We must ensure that these community health care providers are included in health care reform — to safeguard access for current patients and to ensure that newly insured women and families can access these trusted providers close to home.

Here are the facts:

  • Women are more vulnerable to high health care costs because women’s reproductive health requires more regular contact with health care providers, including visits for yearly Pap tests, mammograms, and obstetric care.
  • Tough economic times are especially difficult for women struggling to afford basic health care.
  • Women of childbearing age spend 68 percent more in out-of-pocket health care costs than men, in part because of reproductive health-related supplies and services.
  • Roughly 16.7 million women are uninsured, and thus likely to postpone care and delay or forgo important preventive care, such as cancer screenings.
  • Six in 10 clients consider family planning centers, like Planned Parenthood health centers, their main source of health care. Often, these centers are their only interaction with the country’s health care system.

As the health care reform debate moves forward, those who want to deny access to comprehensive reproductive health care will continue to target both Planned Parenthood and the health insurance coverage that meets all the health care needs of women, men, and teens. We need your help to guarantee that health care reform works for us all.

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Want to help PPNNE?

  • Volunteer - Contact our Grassroots Organizer, at mburgoyne@ppnne.org
     
  • Become a member - Click here to donate now and become a member of the PPNNE Action Fund.
  • Get involved - Find out more about our work to protect choice.
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PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF NORTHERN NEW ENGLAND
STATE SENATE ANALYSIS
PRO-CHOICE

Senator Peter Burling

Senator Burling is a second generation advocate for choice issues, grounded by his mother, a long time supporter of Planned Parenthood of Northern New England (PPNNE).  Senator Burling was a strong advisor during PPNNE’s challenge of the 2003 parental notification law as Ayotte v Planned Parenthood of Northern New England et al wound its way through the courts.  In addition to standing with us on the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court, Senator Burling continued to advise efforts to successfully repeal the unconstitutional law last year.  As both a senator and a representative, he has been a strong pro-choice legislator.

Senator Jacalyn Cilley

As a first term senator, Senator Cilley has shown her interest in health issues by co-sponsoring bills addressing such issues as lead paint, HIV/AIDS, and health insurance access and cost.  Last year she supported PPNNE by voting against a bill that would have prohibited the state from entering into any contracts with PPNNE.  Senator Cilley also supported the bill to repeal the unconstitutional parental notification law passed in 2003.  This year she is a co-sponsor of SB527, supporting, as does PPNNE, counseling and information for teens seeking abortion services.

Senator Martha Fuller Clark

Senator Fuller Clark’s commitment to PPNNE goes beyond her stellar pro-choice voting record.  Prior to her entry into the Senate in 2004 she was a champion for women’s health and safety as a member of the NH House of Representatives.  Senator Martha Fuller Clark stood shoulder to shoulder with PPNNE’s CEO, Nancy Mosher, on the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court as we challenged the unconstitutional parental notification law passed in 2003.  As a member of the Senate Health &Human Services committee, she continues to protect access to reproductive health care services.

Senator Lou D’Allesandro

A father, grandfather, and former educator, Senator D’Allesandro brings a long standing commitment to pro-choice issues.  Through his experience as a senator, a representative, and an executive counselor, Senator D’Allesandro adds a senior statesman’s perspective to issues affecting women’s health and safety.  PPNNE is continually grateful for his advice and support.

Senator Betsi DeVries

Senator DeVries has a strong commitment to the health of young people.  In her first year in the Senate she was the lead sponsor on a childhood lead poisoning prevention bill.  Senator DeVries also supported a bill authorizing the state to pursue a Medicaid Family Planning waiver which would provide funding for more women to access reproductive health care.  In addition, she supported the repeal of the unconstitutional parental notification law.  This year, Senator DeVries is a co-sponsor of a bill (SB527) that would provide standard guidelines to health care providers who give counseling and information to teens facing an unintended pregnancy. 

Senator Iris Estabrook

Senator Estabrook’s commitment to youth and families goes back to her experience as an educator and school board member.  Her service since election to the Senate has been exemplary and her support of choice issues unwavering.  Senator Estabrook has traveled the journey challenging the unconstitutional parental notification law since it passed in 2003 through Ayotte v Planned Parenthood of Northern New England et al court challenges, and through the successful repeal effort last year.  Her leadership of the Health & Human Services committee ensures a strong voice in the Senate for women’s health and safety.

Senator Joe Foster

Senator Foster has been in the thick of the battle to protect teens’ health and safety since his first term in the Senate.  As the father of three daughters he was a strong voice in opposition to the parental notification law passed in 2003.  As an attorney he was well aware that the law did not provide even minimal protections for teens’ health and safety.  From both these perspectives Senator Foster supported the legal challenges to the law eventually found unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court in Ayotte v Planned Parenthood of Northern New England et al, as well as last year’s successful effort to repeal the law.  This year his work to protect teens’ health and safety continues through his support of SB527, a bill that provides guidelines all health care providers should follow when counseling a teen facing an unintended pregnancy

Senator Dave Gottesman

Senator Gottesman lives his commitment to social justice as a senator and a long time attorney.  Since joining the Senate in 2004 he has shown a willingness to listen and help with challenging discussions.  Passionate about victims’ rights, it is no surprise that he applies the same passion and commitment to pro-choice issues.  Senator Gottesman has supported access to emergency contraception and family planning services.  He also supported teen health and safety during the effort to repeal the unconstitutional parental notification law. 

Senator Maggie Hassan

Since her election to the senate in 2004 Senator Hassan has shown an extraordinary passion and commitment to the health and safety of women and teens.  Her willingness to be vocal on choice issues and the respect people have for her make her a strong spokesperson for our issues.  This year she is a co-sponsor of SB527 supporting, as does PPNNE, counseling and information for teens seeking abortion services.  

Senator Harold Janeway

As a member of the Finance and Health & Human Services Committees, Senator Janeway has been involved in the deliberations on a number of bills affecting PPNNE.  In 2006, his first year in the Senate, Senator Janeway supported increased funding to family planning.  He also co-sponsored the bill repealing the unconstitutional parental notification law .  We are fortunate to have his strong pro-choice support on issues directly impacting family planning providers.

Senator Molly Kelly

Senator Kelly has a history of supporting women’s issues even before her election to the senate in 2006.  She was board chair of the Commission on the Status of Women.  Senator Kelly was a vocal critic of former Senator Tom Eaton, the incumbent she defeated in the last election, for his pivotal role in the passage of the unconstitutional parental notification law in 2003.  That law diverted the time and resources of PPNNE and others, as we challenged its lack of a health exception to protect the health and safety of teens in legal action going all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court.  Last year, Senator Kelly was a co-sponsor of the bill repealing that law. 

Senator Sylvia Larsen

Senator Larsen has had a long term involvement with PPNNE.  She stood with us, as a supporter and as a spokesperson, on the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court on the day Ayotte v Planned Parenthood of Northern New England et al was heard.  Senator Larsen is currently serving as President of the Senate, bringing her strong pro-choice perspective to her position of leadership.  How fortunate women are to have her leading the Senate, and protecting access to family planning and reproductive health care services.  Senator Larsen’s pro-choice commitment and her ability to set the tone of the Senate ensure that issues important to the PPNNE community continue to be represented by a dedicated spokesperson. 

Senator Bob Odell

Senator Odell has proven that commitment to choice and women’s issues transcends party lines.  He has shown his courage in the many times he has broken ranks with party politics to support access to emergency contraception, expanding access to family planning services, and repealing the unconstitutional parental notification law that threatened teens’ health and safety.  This session Senator Odell is a co-sponsor of SB527, the Counseling and Information bill providing guidelines all health care providers should follow when counseling a teen facing an unintended pregnancy.  Senator Odell brings a valuable perspective to Planned Parenthood as we pursue what are truly bi-partisan issues the health and safety of women and teens. 

Senator Deborah Reynolds

In her first term, Senator Reynolds has co-sponsored two key bills SB286 which requires the Department of Health & Human Services to pursue a Medicaid waiver that would increase funding to family planning services; and SB527, a Counseling and Information bill that provides guidelines to protect the health and safety of a minor dealing with an unintended pregnancy.  Senator Reynolds’ support of these issues blends with her previous work on health and wellness related counseling, as director of the Whole Village Family Resource Center and as a commissioner on the NH Commission for Human Rights. 

Senator Kathy Sgambati

Senator Sgambati has a career-long commitment to public health.  She was recently named the Outstanding State Senator for 2008 by the American Medical Association.  As a former Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Health and Human Services, Senator Sgambati brings an understanding of public health to her efforts as a first term senator.  She continues to protect the health and safety of teens and to support pro-choice issues.  Last year she was a co-sponsor of legislation to seek additional Medicaid funding for family planning.  In the current session, she is prime sponsor of a bill (SB527) that provides guidelines for the counseling and information a teen facing an unintended pregnancy should receive. 

ANTI-CHOICE

The following Senators have consistently proven to be against family planning and choice issues.  They have voted against increasing access to emergency contraception and against repealing the 2003 parental notification found unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court.  They have voted in favor of efforts to prohibit the state from entering into any contracts with Planned Parenthood to provide family planning services.
Senator Jack Barnes
Senator Peter Bragdon
Senator Robert Clegg
Senator Michael Downing
Senator John Gallus
Senator Theodore Gatsas
Senator Joseph Kenney
Senator Robert Letourneau
Senator Sheila Roberge

 UPDATED November 1st, 2008

The Planned Parenthood of Northern New England Action Fund - NH PAC is proud of its 2008 New Hampshire Legislative endorsements.  Below is our list of endorsed candidates and the outcome of their races.

Senate Candidates:
Martha Stroup McLeod (D) SD-1                        LOST:  47% of the vote
Senator Deborah R. Reynolds (D) SD-2           WON:  58% of the vote
"Bud" Martin (D) SD-3                                         LOST:  51% of the vote
Senator Kathleen Sgambati (D) SD-4              WON:  54% of the vote
Matthew Houde (D) SD-5                                    WON:  66% of the vote
Senator "Jackie" Cilley (D) SD-6                       WON:  57% of the vote
Senator Harold Janeway (D) SD-7                    WON:  52% of the vote
Senator Bob Odell (R) SD-8                                WON:  58% of the vote
Michael Kaelin (D) SD-9                                       LOST:  43% of the vote
Senator Molly Kelly (D) SD-10                            WON:  58% of the vote
"Peggy" Gilmour (D) SD-12                                 WON:  47% of the vote
Senator Bette R. Lasky (D) SD-13                     WON:  59% of the vote
Senator Sylvia Larsen (D) SD-15                       WON:  68% of the vote
"Bob" Backus (D) SD-16                                      LOST:  43% of the vote
Senator Betsi DeVries (D) SD-18                      WON:  54% of the vote
Daphne Kenyon (D) SD-19                                  LOST:  38% of the vote
Senator Lou D'Allesandro (D) SD-20                 WON:  66% of the vote
Amanda Merrill (D) SD-21                                   WON:  67% of the vote
Senator "Maggie" Wood Hassan (D) SD-23     WON:  57% of the vote
Senator Martha Fuller Clark (D) SD-24             WON:  62% of the vote

 

 

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What Can I Do?

It's more important than ever that you stay involved and informed!

  • Volunteer - Contact our Grassroots Organizer at mburgoyne@ppnne.org or
    225-2925 x2 to find out more. We need you to make the Action Fund activities a success!
  • Become a member - Click here to donate now and become a member of the PPNNE Action Fund.
  • Get involved - Find out more about our work to protect choice.

 

 

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