Planned Parenthood Rallies at Capitol on Budget, Initiatives, and Effects of Environmental Toxins on Reproductive Health of Cali

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

A healthy budget, a healthy environment, a healthy California’

Noreen Evans, Chair of the Assembly Democratic Caucus, was wished a happy birthday after speaking at the rally

Sarah Joye
Research Associate
Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California

More than 600 Planned Parenthood volunteers and staff converged upon the State Capitol Tuesday to lobby against the 10 percent budget cut to the Medi-Cal program. As a safety net provider, Planned Parenthood relies primarily on Medi-Cal reimbursements to fund services to low-income patients.

California prides itself as a national leader in the area of prevention. Whether it’s family planning, comprehensive sexual education, or STD and cancer screenings, Planned Parenthood is one of the largest safety-net providers of preventive health care programs in the state. Ninety-seven percent (97%) of Planned Parenthood services are dedicated to family planning and other preventive health care services like breast and cervical cancer screenings.

As part of an entire day of activities promoting Planned Parenthood services, activists met with their local legislators to update and educate lawmakers on the importance of rescinding the 10 percent cut to Medi-Cal as well as protecting access to reproductive health care. The day’s theme was “My Health, Our Future.”

As Tuesday was also Earth Day, the group emphasized the negative effects of environmental toxins on reproductive health. Kathy Kneer, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California, which organized the event, told the crowd gathered that “Planned Parenthood is broadening its public policy efforts to pursue policies and campaigns that focus on efforts to eliminate these environmental hazards. We must work to help families and communities become healthier.” Teen volunteer Vanessa Suarez, a student from College of the Sequoias also spoke on the link between environmental toxins and reproductive health.

Fourteen electeds showed their support for Planned Parenthood by speaking at a morning rally, including Senate Pro-Tem-Elect Darrell Steinberg who thanked the crowd for their work and emphasized the importance of their presence at the Capitol. Other speakers included Assemblymembers Warren Furutani, John Laird, Pedro Nava, Fiona Ma, Patty Berg, Mike Eng, Lori Saldaña, Hector De la Torre, Ed Hernandez, Mark DeSaulnier, Noreen Evans, Mark Leno and Anna Marie Caballero.

Capitol Day participants came from as far Eureka to San Diego to celebrate the day. A public education fair sponsored by each of the nine Planned Parenthood affiliates included booths covering issues including healthy relationships, environmental toxins and their impact on reproductive development, working with faith-based groups, and the third parental notification initiative which is likely to qualify for the November 2008 ballot. In response to the news that parental notification would be on the ballot for the third time, many of the electeds, including Steinberg, De la Torre, and Evans, reaffirmed their commitment to its defeat.