Public Affairs
PPSCNY Public Affairs chair George McLain meets Rep. |
Planned Parenthood’s remarkable progress in securing reproductive rights is at risk at the federal and state levels. PPSCNY is committed to advocating for federal and state policies which allow us to deliver the highest quality, affordable health care and education. We still face a federal government opposed to basic family planning and sexuality education, as well as to a woman’s right to choose abortion. We are fortunate to have a Public Affairs Committee who meets regularly to fight legislation detrimental to Planned Parenthood. The Committee, along with staff and volunteers, regularly visits our lawmakers in Albany and in their district offices to educate them about our needs and laws helpful to our mission.
In 2006 we were grateful to see the election of several solidly pro-choice legislators at the state and federal level. Eliot Spitzer became New York's Governor and he strongly favors comprehensive sexuality education in public schools, no age limits on Emergency Contraception, and a woman's right to choose a safe abortion. 2006 brought us the FDA's approval of nonprescription status for Emergency Contraception - but only for people 18 and older. For no reason other than conservative politics, minors are still burdened with the requirement of obtaining a prescription for this safe and effective birth control.
PPSCNY applauded the FDA's approval of Gardasil in June, the first ever vaccine proven to prevent the strains of HPV that can lead to cervical cancer (see related article).
To get involved with PPSCNY's advocacy efforts or for more information, please call 607-723-5130, ext. 232 or e-mail ppscny@ppfa.org.
