Minnesota Reproductive Health Advocates Denounce Attacks on Safe, Legal Abortion; Praise Efforts to Protect Birth Control Coverage
Minnesota Legislators and supporters gathered in the Minnesota State Office Building to denounce efforts by Senate Republicans to ban abortion later in pregnancy and to applaud the Minnesota House leadership for standing up for affordable, accessible birth control for Minnesotans.
Planned Parenthood Applauds Minnesota Lawmakers for Supporting Comprehensive Sex Ed in Schools
The Minnesota House of Representatives debated HF 1414, a bill that requires Minnesota schools to teach medically-accurate, age-appropriate, comprehensive sex education. Currently, Minnesota has no statewide standard for sex education in schools.
Comprehensive Sex Education (HF 1414 / SF 2065)
Introduced by Rep. Todd Lippert (DFL-Northfield) and Sen. Susan Kent (DFL-Woodbury), HF 1414 / SF 2065 would require Minnesota schools to teach medically-accurate, age-appropriate, comprehensive sex education. Comprehensive sex education will strengthen our communities. Now is the time for our leaders to stand up for healthy relationships and healthy futures for young people in Minnesota by supporting this important legislation.
Trump-Pence Administration Moves to Block Access to Critical Health Care Services
This move by the Trump-Pence administration jeopardizes access to health care for patients who receive care through a statewide network of Planned Parenthood-supported Title X clinics. As a result, patients could lose access to critical services like birth control, STD testing and treatment, and life-saving cancer screenings. The detrimental impact of this policy on the health of Americans’ cannot be overstated.
Title X Gag Rule Defunds Planned Parenthood
The Trump-Pence administration has implemented a gag rule scheduled to take effect in 60 days. This gag rule will dismantle our nation’s family planning program, which is ensures that people with low incomes can access reproductive health care. In Minnesota, 53,000 patients across 31 locations–including 51,000 Planned Parenthood patients–rely on Title X-funded clinics for life-saving health care, cancer screenings, birth control, and STD testing.
Ultrasound Bill (HF 1108 / SF 1168)
HF 1108 / SF 1168 would require providers to offer patients the option of viewing an ultrasound prior to an abortion. Patients already have the right to view their ultrasound. That’s not what this bill is about. This bill is about legislating the conversation that takes place between a doctor and a patient–which sets a dangerous precedent. Doctors, not politicians, should determine the health care needs of patients.
20 Week Ban (HF 1312 / SF 1609)
Introduced by Rep. Peggy Scott (R-Andover) and Sen. Benson (R-Ham Lake) HF 1312 / SF 1609, the “Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act” bans abortion after 20 weeks. This is unconstitutional legislation that threatens the health of patients and criminalizes doctors. This is just another attempt to restrict access to safe, legal abortion by challenging longstanding, United States Supreme Court and Minnesota Supreme Court precedence.
Planned Parenthood Applauds Walz-Flanagan Administration for Prioritizing Reproductive Health Care in Budget
With today’s budget announcement, the Governor and Lieutenant Governor are delivering on their bold vision of One Minnesota and putting the needs of Minnesota women and families front and center.
Family Planning Special Projects (FPSP) Grant Increase (HF 1011 / SF 1293)
There is significant unmet need for reproductive health care services across Minnesota. Not only will increased funding help clinics withstand the federal family planning cuts, the increased funding will allow clinics to serve more patients, address the STD crisis, ensure access to birth control and improve the overall health of Minnesotans.