Stand Up For Women's Health

Here are a few of the stories we’ve been paying attention to:

National News:

• Pfizer recalls 1 million packets of birth control pills because of a packaging error:http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/health/NATL-Pfizer-Recalls-1M-Birth-Control-Packs-138474524.html
• Meanwhile, Plan B is offering  a $5 coupon on its website for any woman affected by the recall:http://www.metro.us/newyork/national/article/1086210—in-wake-of-birth-control-recall-plan-b-offers-coupon
• And the NPR dispels some myths about Plan B: http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2012/02/06/146358069/the-morning-after-pill-how-it-works-and-who-uses-it
• The NYT explores the recent ruling on contraception by the Obama Administration and its effects on students and employees attending Catholic colleges and institutions:http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/30/health/policy/law-fuels-contraception-controversy-on-catholic-campuses.html?_r=1
•  Women’s rights groups launches campaign to save birth control from Catholic bishops: http://msmagazine.com/blog/blog/2012/01/31/hervotes-blog-carnival-no-religious-exemption-for-birth-control-coverage/
• House Speaker John Boehner calls the new birth control insurance requirement unconstitutional and demands immediate reconsideration: http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=news/national_world&id=8529091
• And Mitt Romney slams President Obama’s contraception ruling despite making an identical decision as governor in 2005: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/30/mitt-romney-birth-control_n_1241849.html
• Rick Santorum criticizes the Obama administration for reducing federal funding for abstinence only programs: http://thinkprogress.org/health/2012/01/25/411382/santorum-obama-defunded-abstinence-programs-because-he-wants-people-to-be-in-poverty/?mobile=nc
• Ron Paul believes victims of ‘honest rape’ should be offered abortions: http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2012/02/04/ron-paul-tells-piers-morgan-only-honest-rape-merits-abortion/
• A new animal study reveals that a couple zaps to the testicles might be the future of contraception for men: http://abcnews.go.com/Health/testicle-zap-future-birth-control/story?id=15472917
• Sen. Janet Howell proposes an amendment that requires men to undergo additional medical procedures before getting a prescription for erectile dysfunction in response to ultrasound requirement before an abortion: http://www.myfoxny.com/dpps/news/senate-rejects-ultrasound-requirement-dpgapx-20120130-sv_17509237
• A new survey concludes that strong majorities of Latino registered voters supported access to legal abortion:http://latinainstitute.org/Latinopoll
• The Washington Post details how Roe v. Wade changed abortion rights in 9 graphs:http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/ezra-klein/post/slideshow-how-roe-v-wade-changed-abortion-rights/2011/08/25/gIQA2p6XLQ_blog.html
• Several letters to the NYT challenges Ross Douthat’s recent Op-Ed, which claimed that the majority of Americans are anti-choice: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/07/opinion/what-americans-think-about-abortion.html?scp=4&sq=abortion&st=cse

State News:

• A Virginia Senate voted against a bill that would have banned abortions at 20 weeks and would impose criminal penalties on doctors: http://www.msmagazine.com/news/uswirestory.asp?ID=13448
• In Texas required delay between sonogram and abortion creates frustrating consequences: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/29/us/required-delay-between-sonogram-and-abortion-creates-logistical-issues-in-texas.html
• Austin city council members passed an ordinance requiring crisis pregnancy centers to detail services: http://www.dailytexanonline.com/news/2012/02/01/city-ordinance-requires-pregnancy-crisis-centers-detail-services
• Kansas lawmakers will vote on a bill that would require doctors to inform women of the wholly unfounded potential breast cancer risks associated with abortion: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/06/kansas-anti-abortion-bill_n_1258185.html?ref=politics 

Susan G. Komen Foundation Reverses its Decision to Cut Funding to Planned Parenthood!

• After national public outcry, Komen reverses direction: http://video.msnbc.msn.com/mitchell-reports/46255153/#46254942
• The NYT also covers the reversal: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/04/health/policy/komen-breast-cancer-group-reverses-decision-that-cut-off-planned-parenthood.html?_r=1&hp
• And MSNBC discusses Komen’s reversal decision with PPFA President Cecile Richards: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/46243184/ns/health-womens_health/#.TyxvxVxSTLA
• PPFA President Cecile Richards and PPNYC CEO Joan Malin are grateful for the reversal: http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2012/02/03/after-public-backlash-komen-reverses-position-will-support-planned-parenthood/
• But  Komen’s quick reversal raises questions: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032619/#46258539
• Now the Komen Foundation has revised its funding policy: http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/komen-revises-funding-policy/2012/02/03/gIQAVRa3mQ_story.html?hpid=z1
• In the wake of the Komen controversy politics and health should be kept separate: http://www.ctpost.com/news/article/Keep-politics-health-separate-2999666.php
• The Washington Post explores Planned Parenthood’s road to victory for funding with Komen and Congress: http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/what-planned-parenthood-wins-in-funding-fights-with-komen-and-congress/2012/01/31/gIQA79nHnQ_story.html
• Politico: How Susan G. Komen May Have Helped Obama On Contraception Fight http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0212/72426.html
• Great editorial in Mercury News on how the Komen turnabout proves the power of protest: http://www.mercurynews.com/opinion/ci_19889835
• U.S. Senator Patty Murray says attacks on women’s health “Not Over”: http://www.seattlepi.com/local/connelly/article/Komen-backs-down-but-attacks-on-women-s-health-2998800.php
• Gail Collins pens an Op-Ed in the NYT on the Komen controversy and its aftermath: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/04/opinion/collins-the-politics-of-absolutely-everything.html
• Salon explores how Komen’s decision to pull funding from Planned Parenthood gave new life to women’s health advocacy: http://www.salon.com/2012/02/04/susan_g_komen%E2%80%99s_priceless_gift/singleton/
• And it was covered in The Nation: http://www.thenation.com/article/166072/why-komenplanned-parenthood-breakup-while-it-lasted-was-good-feminism
• Mayor Michael Bloomberg pledged $250,000 to Planned Parenthood: http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/02/02/bloomberg-to-give-250000-to-planned-parenthood/
• LIVESTRONG joins Mayor Bloomberg with donation to Planned Parenthood Cancer Services Fund http://blog.livestrong.org/2012/02/03/livestrong-joins-mayor-bloomberg-with-donation-to-planned-parenthood/
• And lastly, in the wake of the decision Planned Parenthood raises $3 Million in three days: http://gothamist.com/2012/02/04/planned_parenthood_raised_3_million.php