Susan Komen, Planned Parenthood and Birth Control

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There appears to be a coordinated attack underway on women’s reproductive rights. Planned Parenthood, the women’s health organization, is a convenient target and it was apparent this week as Susan G. Komen for the Cure shot itself in the foot by cutting off their funding for breast cancer screening. Then, the rule that all health insurance providers must also cover contraception became a political football.

As you know, Planned Parenthood is one of the non-profit organizations that we support in our charitable giving program. This is due to our firm commitment to women’s health and women’s rights. Planned Parenthood is the premier organization for women’s health in our country and in many cases, is the only medical provider that many women use on a regular basis. While Planned Parenthood is the focal point for those that would restrict a woman’s right to choose, the organization is so much more and the support they received as the Susan Komen blunder hit the news is a great indication of the organization’s value.

With over 95% of all women utilizing birth control at some point in their lives, I would think that the debate over contraception was solved decades ago. It was safe and effective birth control that liberated women from the burden of unwanted pregnancy and worse, the burden of unwanted children. If you get your health insurance from your employer and that employer happens to have an objection to contraception, that does not mean that contraception should not be available in your health insurance plan. It always remains your decision whether to utilize birth control or not.

The most remarkable thing about this whole news cycle was the demonstration, again, of the amazing power of social media in influencing public policy. Facebook and Twitter were abuzz with information, even as the organization imploded with the announcement that a handful of top officials and former boards members would resign.

We are truly in an era of social media as an influencer. I think that is a great thing, but also something we need to be vigilant in protecting. It was not social media alone that influenced and ultimately changed events; it was the USE of social media by large numbers of people that were moved to take action. Petitions were signed, phone calls were made, donations flowed in and politicians heard from their constituents and change came at lightning speed.

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