Monday Monitor: April 16, 2018

MoLeg Update

Exciting news in the Capitol, as the House of Representatives voted to increase access to the most effective form of birth control, long-acting reversible contraception! The bill, HB 1499, is now in the Senate and awaits a committee hearing.

Both the House and Senate also voted last week to divert tax dollars to faith-based anti-abortion counseling centers. Senate Bill 632 and its House counterpart, HB 1288 divert public funds to so-called “crisis pregnancy centers.” Last Week Tonight with John Oliver has a great segment explaining how these unlicensed entities mislead and shame people who are pregnant.

• WATCH - Last Week Tonight with John Oliver: Crisis Pregnancy Centers

• Follow Planned Parenthood Advocates in Missouri on Twitter for updates from committee hearings and floor debate

Stand up for access to birth control! 

They’re at it again: Jefferson City politicians are trying to deny patients access to birth control, cancer screenings, and STI tests.

The federal Medicaid program allows Missourians with low incomes to access this care at the provider of their choice — but lawmakers are trying to block these patients from choosing certain providers, including Planned Parenthood.

What will this mean? Many patients will have nowhere else to go for this vital preventive health care. And if that weren’t enough, it would risk Missouri’s entire Medicaid program by violating federal law.

Take a moment and contact your state senator now!

May 10th Lobby Day

Mark your calendars for May 10 and join fellow advocates talking with lawmakers in Jefferson City about Missourians’ sexual and reproductive health and rights! We have carpools leaving from Columbia, Kansas City, Springfield, and St. Louis. Whether you’ve never been to the Capitol or you’ve walked the halls a hundred times, join us and make a difference!

Stand With Planned Parenthood in Your Community

Recap: Discussing Maternal and Infant Mortality 

Planned Parenthood partnered with Southwest Missouri NOW and NAACP Springfield to host Reproaction’s screening of The Naked Truth: Death by Delivery on Sunday, April 15. More than 50 community members attended the screening and discussion.

The film addresses racial health disparities that place Black women at four times the risk of white women to die from pregnancy-related issues. At a time when our lawmakers have been focusing on restricting access to health care, especially safe and legal abortion, Death by Delivery calls for a shift in public policy to improve the lives of women, especially Black women, in our state.

“The film and panel discussion were a great opportunity to raise awareness to the real effects of structural racism in the United States, Springfield resident Lexi Amos said following the discussion. “Our maternal health care system is in crisis and it is time to work to address the issue.” The panel included Carla Lantz, RN, MSN, CNM, Planned Parenthood in Springfield; Sabrina Brinson, PhD, Missouri State University; Dr. David Derosset, PhD Drury University; Tehesha Stegall, MSN, Jordan Valley Community Health Center, with Dee Ogilvy moderating. Planned Parenthood had an information table staffed by volunteer Sabrina Bonnette and both Planned Parenthood and NAACP offered voter registration. Thanks to Reproaction Organizer Evonnia Woods for bringing this opportunity to Southwest Missouri.

Volunteer & Engagement Opportunities

Join the fight for access to health care on the state and federal levels! Join Planned Parenthood Advocates’ organizers and volunteers to crowd-canvass, make calls, enter data, and connect with your community. You can participate in the phone banks in person or remotely!

• Mid-Missouri

  • Columbia Earth Day: Sunday, April 22 from 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

  • Columbia Patient Escort Training: Tuesday, April 24 from 5:30 - 8:30 p.m.

  • Columbia Counter-Visibility Event: Friday, April 27 12:00 - 2:00 p.m.

• St. Louis Area

  • St. Peters Signature Gathering for Clean Missouri: Tuesday, April 17 from 5:30 - 8:30 p.m.

  • Washington, MO BBQ Festival:

    • Friday, April 20 from 4:00 - 8:30 p.m.

    • Saturday, April 21 from 11:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

    • Sunday, April 22 from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

  • St. Louis Earth Day:

    • Saturday, April 21 from 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

    • Sunday, April 22 from 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

  • St. Louis Planning Meeting for Rep. Grier Town Hall: Saturday, April 21 from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.

• Southwest Missouri

  • Springfield Voter Registration: Monday, April 23 from 3:00 - 7:00 p.m.