Monthly Monitor: July 2018

#StopTheDefund of Planned Parenthood in Missouri

Here are two ways you can fight back:

1. Write Gov. Parson a prescription to #StopTheDefund
2. Join us in Jefferson City on Thursday to deliver birth control pill packs, prescriptions, and petitions to the governor to show him you stand with Planned Parenthood and demand he #StopTheDefund!

MoLeg Wrap-Up

While 26 anti-sexual and reproductive health bills were filed in the 2018 legislative session, there were over 80 positive bills advancing the mission of Planned Parenthood and improving the wellbeing of patients. In total, the Legislature passed eight positive bills and three bills we oppose. Gov. Parson signed into law four bills this month cementing positive gains on issues of concern for Planned Parenthood Advocates Missouri:

• SB 826, Expanding LARC Access: Increases access to long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) like IUDs and implants — the most effective form of birth control — by allowing a new, unused LARC prescribed to one Medicaid patient to be transferred to a different patient instead of being discarded. This measure was passed as an amendment to Senate Bill 826.
• SB 870, Restrictions on Shackling Pregnant People: Restricts the use of shackles on pregnant people who are in the custody of the Missouri Department of Corrections during their third trimester, while giving birth, and for 48 hours postpartum. This measure was passed as an amendment to Senate Bill 870.
• HB 1606, Improving Sex Education: Requires school districts that choose to offer sex education to include information about consent, sexual violence, and sexual harassment. This measure was passed as an amendment to House Bill 1606.
• SB 655, Protecting Against Human Trafficking: Sets a minimum marriage age of 16 and prohibits the marriage of someone over 21 to someone under 17. This measure was passed as an amendment to Senate Bill 655.

Vote No on Proposition A

“Right to Work,” despite its deceptive title, Prop A actually weakens workers’ bargaining power for livable wages and benefits. In the state of Missouri, women currently earn 78 cents for every dollar earned by men. Unions help narrow the gender pay gap. We know that in states with laws like Prop A, the income gap for women widens — especially for Black women, who will be disproportionately impacted.

• Take Action to Oppose Prop A
  • Pledge to Vote No on Prop A
  • Find Your Polling Place
  • Find Volunteer Opportunities Near You

Supreme Court Update: #StopKavanaugh

President Trump has chosen Brett Kavanaugh as his pick for our next Supreme Court justice — which means our constitutional right to access abortion is at risk.

Trump promised to appoint justices who would “automatically” overturn Roe v. Wade — and Brett Kavanaugh will tip the balance away from our constitutional right to access abortion and to be free from discrimination. If he’s confirmed, the rights we’ve spent decades fighting for could disappear.

• Tell your senators to BLOCK Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination and refuse to confirm ANY nominee who will threaten our reproductive rights

Recap: Advocates Stage Patient Waiting Room in Gov. Parson’s Office

The “defund” aims to block patients from accessing vital preventive care including birth control, cancer screenings, and STI testing and treatment.

“Thousands of Missourians rely on Planned Parenthood for their birth control. Gov. Parson wants to block many of these patients by ‘defunding’ Planned Parenthood — where are these patients supposed to go?“ said Stacie Schroeder, a Planned Parenthood advocate from Columbia.

A recent report found that only 7% of Missouri safety-net providers other than Planned Parenthood offer accessible and comprehensive care.

Sydney Stephens, a Planned Parenthood patient who attended the action, said, “I am tired of politicians interfering with my access to health care. Gov. Parson needs to stop this defund.”

• KOMU 8 Columbia: Planned Parenthood supporters hold sit-in protest in Governor's office

Recap: St. Louis Healthy Neighborhood Canvass

On Saturday, July 25th, 14 volunteers joined Planned Parenthood organizers from Planned for a Healthy Neighborhood Canvass in the 18th Ward of St. Louis City. They knocked on 200 doors and distributed lifesaving information about preventive health care at Planned Parenthood Health Centers and urged residents to vote no on Prop A.