Monday Monitor: April 23, 2018

MoLeg Update

The Senate Seniors, Families, and Children Committee held a hearing last Tuesday on House Bill 2280, which we support, and House Bill 1266, which we oppose.

HB 2280 makes a small but impactful change that will expand access to health care for new mothers. Currently, new mothers with low incomes lose their health care coverage 60 days after delivery. HB 2280 expands that health care coverage for one year for new mothers with low incomes who seek treatment for substance use disorder.

HB 1266, on the other hand, bans abortion altogether later in pregnancy. It is yet another attack on Missourians’ access to safe, legal abortion. Two advocates who had an abortion later in pregnancy testified against this unconstitutional and medically unnecessary abortion ban. Both bills await a vote in the committee.

• 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!

Final 2018 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

Volunteer Spotlight: Rylea Luckfield

Rylea Luckfield has volunteered with Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri for a little over two years. She is always ready to help in so many ways with data entry, phone-banking, staffing outreach tables at events and canvassing to register voters. Grassroots Organizer, Stacy Sherrod asked Rylea a few questions about volunteering:

Q: Can you share with our readers, why is it important to you to volunteer for Planned Parenthood Advocates in Missouri?

A: It’s important because bodily autonomy is such a basic human right and is sort of the basis of all other civil rights. The ability to make decisions about your own reproductive and sexual health needs to be protected and the Missouri Legislature is always attacking reproductive rights. It seems like there’s a new TRAP (Targeted Regulation of Abortion Providers) law all the time. Also because Planned Parenthood Health Center has always been open and welcoming to patients, I see that when I do Patient Advocacy in the Health Center and have experienced that as a patient myself.

Q: Do you have a favorite volunteer experience with Planned Parenthood?

A: Working the Springfield and Joplin PRIDE Festivals is probably my favorite because as a queer person, LGBTQ rights are very important to me. When I work the Planned Parenthood table and canvass at PRIDE, I am able to work for two causes I care about at once. Plus the PRIDE Festivals are just really fun.

Q: What else would you like to share with readers about volunteering?

A: Volunteering can make you feel really great; it’s a way you can make a difference. Though you may not see instant results, know that you’re helping. When you represent Planned Parenthood in the community, you are making their work and the health care they provide more visible. You are giving a face to Planned Parenthood and that can help with misconceptions people may have. Folks may not always understand all the types of health care that Planned Parenthood provides our community and as a volunteer you can talk to people about that and inform them. Even if you don’t see a difference instantly in people’s lives or in the Legislature, know that you are making a difference. Adding your voice always makes a difference.

Q: And finally, just for fun, what is your favorite food?

A: Steak and Shrimp.

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!

• Kansas City Area

  • Stand with Patients Rally: Saturday, April 28 from 8:30 - 11:00 a.m.

• Columbia

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

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

  • Table Captain Training: Tuesday, May 1 from 5:30 - 8:30 p.m.

• Southwest Missouri

  • Springfield Phonebank: Friday, April 27 from 12:00 - 3:00 p.m.