In late 1972, the push for reproductive rights for women reached a crucial turning point: the case to make abortion legal had reached the U.S. Supreme Court. Arguments for Roe v. Wade were heard in October that year followed by several months of deliberation. Because the decision had the power to directly affect the lives of millions of women across the country, interested parties on both sides were eager to hear the result. On January 22, 1973, the high court released its decision to legalize abortion in the United States.

And so it goes, dear friends, that every January for the past thirty-eight years, supporters of abortion rights have kept one eye on the radar to see if their well planned Roe anniversary would be affected by snow. This year, it certainly was. With our featured speaker Michelle Goldberg safely on the ground in Columbus, we moved forward with the evening's plans. Legislative award recipient Rep. Dan Stewart and Lifetime Achievement award recipient Barb Avery were applauded by ninety-nine brave souls who drove through six inches of snow and slush - many on the roads for several hours that night.

We would like to thank all of you who attended as well as everyone whose plans to attend were altered by Mother Nature. To view photos from the night's celebration, please visit us at www.ppao.org.




The new House leadership took control of Congress on a promise to create jobs, but instead, one of their first acts is to take health care benefits away from Americans. In fact, Representative Chris Smith’s (R-NJ) misleadingly named bill, “No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion” (H.R. 3), is an aggressive attempt to take away the comprehensive private health insurance coverage that millions of women have today.

The Smith bill will raise taxes on millions of men, women, and families across this country because the health insurance they choose includes abortion — whether they use it or not. Under the Smith bill, individuals who have health insurance coverage that includes abortion will face tax penalties because they will not be able to claim existing tax deductions and credits for the cost of their health care. This includes the Health Coverage Tax Credit, which currently covers 80 percent of the cost of a health plan for certain workers who have lost their jobs due to trade with foreign countries. Under the Smith bill, those workers would not be able to claim the Health Coverage Tax Credit at all, if their health plan includes coverage of abortion.

Under current law, some public health insurance programs are required to offer abortion coverage in cases of rape, incest, and when a pregnant woman’s life is in danger. Under the Smith bill, these programs would no longer be required to cover abortion even in these extreme circumstances.

It puts new limits on rape survivors’ ability to use federal funds for abortion care by limiting the exemption to “forcible” rape. Instead of all rape survivors being able to get public federal funds for abortion care, this new legislation could exclude many rape survivors, including women who are unconscious at the time of the rape, women who are mentally disabled, and women who are forced to have sex by threat or coercion.

Ultimately, Congressman Smith’s bill could end private health insurance coverage for virtually all abortions, including private insurance coverage that Americans pay for entirely with their own money. The Smith bill goes beyond any other proposed law to take private health care coverage away from women — even further than the Stupak abortion ban under health care reform. The Smith bill would even prevent women from getting comprehensive coverage in some cases of rape and when the women’s health is in danger.

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Guest blogger Ashley wrote about how birth control has affected her life, and why she volunteers at Planned Parenthood to give back to other Ohio women. To volunteer, contact us at public.affairs@ppao.org.


Yesterday I visited the contraceptive museum at Case Western and saw this quote from Margaret Sanger, “No woman can call herself free who does not own and control her body. No woman can call herself free until she can choose consciously whether she will or will not be a mother.” It made me think about my own experience with birth control.

Because I had access to birth control I was able to pursue a Bachelors and Master’s degree and pursue a career I am passionate about. Because of birth control, in the future I can choose to have children when I am ready, or not to have children at all. Birth control gave me the ability to choose my own path, and pursue my dreams, and for that I am forever grateful.

For some women, access to birth control is not as easy. Growing up I was well educated on contraceptive methods and had support from my family to obtain birth control when I was ready. Also, my family had insurance and could afford the monthly prescription. Some families are not as open about birth control or are unable to afford it. For these women, accessing birth control is much more challenging, but there is one beacon of hope, Planned Parenthood.

Planned Parenthood is a place where no matter your background or income level, people can receive high quality health care, including access to birth control methods. Without Planned Parenthood clinics in Ohio women across the state would go without any form of birth control.

I know that Planned Parenthood clinics throughout Ohio cannot offer the services and programs they provide to their communities without supportive public policies. This is why I volunteer with the advocacy department of Planned Parenthood. Myself and other activists work hard to fight for policies that support women’s health. This year, one important policy issue is birth control access. A committee is determining if birth control will be offered to women without any out of pocket fees. If the committee decides to include birth control as a cost free preventative health service, women will be able to take more control over their bodies and their life.

In my life, I have several friends affected by unplanned pregnancy. I have seen these women face challenge after challenge. This issue is so upsetting to me because it could so easily be prevented.

Work as a volunteer can be tiring at times. There are many defeats along the road. In the end, I am thankful every day I am able to speak to work on a project with Planned Parenthood. I am proud of the work I have been able to accomplish and inspired by the organization to keep fighting and speak up for myself and other women in Ohio!

-Ashley

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