Pursuing Women’s Health and Rights
in the Obama Era
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Lisa B. Winjum, J.D.
Director, Public Policy & Advocacy
Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic
Planned Parenthood's Lisa Winjum describes in the 'sea change' which she anticipates in way women's reproductive health will be valued with the advent of the Obama administration. She characterizes the Obama presidency as one which
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will trust women to make their own reproductive health care decisions,
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will stand up for women's private, personal exercise of that right,
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will promote good, commonsense approaches to reproductive health care generally and to preventing unintended pregnancies specifically,
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will enhance our young people's access to the comprehensive sex education they need to make responsible decisions.
Director of Public Policy & Advocacy for Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic, Ms. Winjum detailed specific changes she expects in Washington, and also in Albany, where the composition of the state legislature has benefited from the Obama effect. (See list below.) However, she notes that these changes may elude us unless we all as responsible citizens advocate actively for them.
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In Washington --
- The Global Gag Rule will be rescinded.
- Funding of misguided, dangerously ineffective and misleading abstinence-only sex education programs will cease.
- Contraceptives will once again be made available to college students at an affordable price. [See UPDATE on this issue.]
- The so-called 'conscience clause' imposed by the federal Department of Health and Human Services will be revoked. See further
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In Albany --
- The long-awaited Health Teens Act will at long last pass the NYS Senate.
- The level of funding for reproductive health will reflect the real needs of our state's women and families.
- The Reproductive Health Act will be passed in both the Senate and the Assembly.
Brief Bio of Lisa Winjum
As Director of Public Policy and Advocacy for Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic, Lisa Winjum oversees government relations and advocacy for the affiliate. began her tenure at Planned Parenthood in March 2005.
Prior to joining the Planned Parenthood staff...|MORE|
This page last updated December 9, 2008 15:17 .