TAKE ACTION!    

Sign up to be a tabling and outreach volunteer with Planned Parenthood of Northern New England!  This fall, PPNNE is looking for volunteers to assist with tabling and outreach at various fairs, festivals, and community events across the state.  Tabling responsibilities include: providing information and materials about PPNNE's services and advocacy initiatives, answering any questions the public may have, and encouraging supporters to sign up to the Maine Action Network.  If you are interested in being the face of Planned Parenthood this summer, please e-mail grassroots@ppnne.org and let us know today!    

Write and submit a letter to the editor to your local newspaper!  To protect and promote meaningful reproductive choices for all Maine women, we must create and support a positive community climate.  Please consider submitting a letter to the editor to your local newspaper today!  To assist your letter writing, please click on the following:

• Tips for writing letters to the editor

Join the Action Network!

Register with us today to receive the latest updates in PPNNE news and information. Learn about choice related laws and what you can do to help protect a woman's right to choose.

 Take a stand.  Lend a hand. 

VOLUNTEER!

Interested in protecting choice?  Meeting like-minded people?  Making a difference in the health and safety of Maine women, men, and teens? 

Then become one of our dedicated volunteers!

Whether you are interested in political advocacy or helping our health centers run smoothly - PPNNE has volunteer opportunities for you!  Examples of activities range from phone banking, to learning how to lobby your legislators, to performing administrative work at our various sites.  If you are interested in learning more about these volunteer opportunities or additional ways you can get involved, please visit our volunteer page. 

Recommended Links: 

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Local Updates - The State of Maine  

Maine is a solidly pro-choice state, enjoying strong leadership in our state government and widespread community support.  Below is the breakdown of pro-choice, anti-choice, mixed-choice, and unknown elected officials.

Maine Senate

• The Maine Senate is currently comprised of 22 pro-choice Senators, 11 anti-choice Senators, and 2 mixed-choice Senators       

                        Maine House

                       The Maine House gained several pro-choice Representatives and now has 84 pro-choice Representatives, 51 anti-choice Representatives, 6 mixed-choice Representatives, and 10 Representatives whose positions are unknown

 Local Legislative Happenings and Calendar 
    

Maine Legislature Fails to Advance Measure to Ensure Fair and Equal Access to Abortion Care. Earlier this year, the Maine Legislature failed to take action on the advancement of LD 1309, An Act To Provide Equity In Funding For Women's Health Services.  This bill would have ensured fair and equal access to abortion s ervices for low-income women by providing public assistance to those eligible for MaineCare, the state's Medicaid program.  With the dismissal of this critical legislation, lawmakers have condoned Maine's current discriminatory policy that only the poorest women in the state lack meaningful access to abortion care.

Planned Parenthood of Northern New England is disappointed with this outcome.  We believe that all women, regardless of income, deserve fair and equal access to the complete range of reproductive health care services, including safe, legal abortion.  We will continue to advocate tirelessly for women's full equality, especially regarding access to comprehensive and affordable health care.  This fight is far from over.

LD 1309 provides a sharp reminder that our elected officials must be held accountable when they fail to listen to Maine's pro-choice majority.  The health and safety of Maine women should never be compromised because of politics.  We urge you to contact your local legislators and voice your disappointment about LD 1309.  Click here to look up your legislators and their contact information, and click here for talking points about LD 1309. 

PPNNE is Preparing for a Busy 2008 Legislative Session

Opponents of reproductive rights will be working to restrict women's access to the full range of reproductive health services.  PPNNE is preparing our legislative strategy and will be working with Legislative leaders to ensure that no restrictions are put on a woman's right to affordable, accessible health care. 

Federal Updates

Prevention First = Healthy Families.  In federal news, the Prevention First Act (H.R.819/S.21) was recently re-introducted in the 110th Congress by Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) and Representative Louise Slaughter (D-NY).  This multi-layered family planning initiative seeks to expand access to preventative health care services and education programs to help reduce unintended pregnancy, prevent the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and support healthy families by improving women's health.  Specifically, it will increase Title X funds, expand Medicaid coverage for family planning, ensure equity in prescription insurance and contraception coverage, improve awareness about emergency contraception and make it more accessible for sexual assault survivors, and protect teens through real, comprehensive sex ed.  We strongly encourage you to thank Representative Tom Allen (D-ME) for being an original co-sponsor of this important bill for families in Maine and across the nation!  Click here for talking points regarding the Prevention First Act.

We also urge you to read a special report to Planned Parenthood by Representative Tom Allen (D-ME) concerning his positions on federal women's health and reproductive rights issues.  We applaud Congressman Allen for affirming his unwavering commitment to the Prevention First Act, along with many other pro-family planning initiatives.