PRO-CHOICE OKLAHOMA

SB 1433 - Personhood definition to be heard soon

2012-02-08T10:07:00.000-06:00

SB 1433 catapulted out of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee on Monday by a vote of 5 to 2. Thank you Senators Connie Johnson and Jim Wilson for debating this horrible bill.

As Dr. Reshef states in this video, any and all women should be contacting your Senator ASAP to ask them to vote no on SB 1433.

KOKH FOX 25 :: Top Stories - Embryo bill

Janet Pearson's op/ed in the Tulsa World

2012-01-17T09:31:00.000-06:00

Thanks to Janet Pearson at the Tulsa World for the review and reminder Oklahoma women need to be prepared to step it up a notch this year. The legislative session is going to be tough and when the "going gets tough, THE TOUGH GET GOING!"

Could this happen?

2012-01-10T15:17:00.000-06:00

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Young People and Comprehensive Sex Education: Moving Beyond Scare Tactics and Fear Mongering in 2012 | RH Reality Check

2012-01-03T09:25:00.000-06:00

Young People and Comprehensive Sex Education: Moving Beyond Scare Tactics and Fear Mongering in 2012 RH Reality Check

Dear Friends of Planned Parenthood of Central Oklahoma

2011-12-20T09:23:00.000-06:00

There’s been a lot in the media lately about Planned Parenthood. Both on the national and on the state level, you may have heard about initiatives attempting to defund Planned Parenthood.

Let me tell you some things you probably haven’t heard on the news. For more than 90 years—74 here in central Oklahoma—building healthy communities has been our mission. Our services include life-saving cancer screenings, birth control, prevention and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases, breast health care, Pap tests, sexual health information and education, advocacy for rational public policies, and more.

Every day, we help our patients get the tools they need—in a caring and compassionate way—to help them stay healthy and plan for families when they are ready. We work every day to reduce the number of unintended pregnancies in Oklahoma and across the country. Every day we supply women and men the most sophisticated instrument in medicine—accurate information—helping them make important decisions about their health.

We’re dedicated to protecting reproductive health and safety, as well as defending a woman’s reproductive freedom. And every day we fight for health care funding and access for all.

At Planned Parenthood we treat health care as a basic human right, dispensed confidentially and without judgment—regardless of race, gender, class or age. Right now, in your community, someone you know will turn to us for birth control, or a breast exam, an STD test, or because they want help talking with their teens about sexuality. And we’ll be there for them.

We are there for the one in five women who turn to us at some time in their lives for professional, nonjudgmental and confidential care. We’re there for those moms and dads who might be uncertain about how to talk with their children about sex. We’re there to protect teens and encourage them to talk with their parents. We replace fear with facts, and misinformation with accurate, nonjudgmental information and health education.

Our clients know they can come see us when they are healthy—just for a check-up. They are welcome to come see us when they are curious, or scared, or want accurate information. They can come see us when they are afraid or embarrassed or don’t know where in the world to turn for help.

We’re here, with an open mind, a caring touch and extraordinarily sophisticated tools and expertise. They know they can rely on Planned Parenthood.

You have made it possible for us to be here for our clients. Our work continues thanks to you, your support to Planned Parenthood of Central Oklahoma through good times and bad, in a political environment often deeply inimical to our mission.

Supporting PPCO will never be more important than it is now. Stand with us to protect, promote and provide reproductive health choices.

Please make a tax-deductible contribution to Planned Parenthood Central Oklahoma today, your support will help us make a difference for tens of thousands of Oklahoma women, men, teens and families. Thank you!

Sex Sells Family Planning and Safer Sex: Why Aren't We Using It? | RH Reality Check

2011-12-16T12:48:00.000-06:00

Sex Sells Family Planning and Safer Sex: Why Aren't We Using It? RH Reality Check

Abstinence-only education does not lead to abstinent behavior, researchers find

2011-12-07T13:24:00.000-06:00

Abstinence-only education does not lead to abstinent behavior, researchers find

STOKING FIRE: Women's Health Facilities are Crucial to All Pregnancy-Related Decisions | RH Reality Check

2011-11-30T15:20:00.000-06:00

STOKING FIRE: Women's Health Facilities are Crucial to All Pregnancy-Related Decisions RH Reality Check

Waiting to die: Cervical cancer in America - Opinion - Al Jazeera English

2011-11-23T08:50:00.000-06:00

Waiting to die: Cervical cancer in America - Opinion - Al Jazeera English

Judge dismisses felony charges against Planned Parenthood in Kansas abortion case | The Republic#share

2011-11-10T09:47:00.000-06:00

Judge dismisses felony charges against Planned Parenthood in Kansas abortion case The Republic#share

ANOTHER VICTORY!!!!

Defeating Personhood: A Critical But Incomplete Victory for Reproductive Justice | RH Reality Check

2011-11-10T09:03:00.000-06:00

Defeating Personhood: A Critical But Incomplete Victory for Reproductive Justice RH Reality Check

DEAR MISSISSIPPI: VOTE NO ON INITIATIVE 26!

2011-11-01T12:48:00.000-06:00

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It's Time to Talk

2011-10-25T12:47:00.000-05:00

Fertilized Eggs Are NOT People! | RH Reality Check

2011-10-10T15:14:00.000-05:00

Fertilized Eggs Are NOT People! RH Reality Check

BE READY...

2011-10-03T13:34:00.000-05:00

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The Right’s Latest Anti-Abortion Gimmick: Performing Ultrasounds On Capitol Hill

2011-09-23T13:27:00.000-05:00

The Right’s Latest Anti-Abortion Gimmick: Performing Ultrasounds On Capitol Hill: pRadical anti-abortion groups including the Christian Defense Fund have come up with another over-the-top spectacle to try to shame pregnant women and make anti-choice legislators feel self-righteous. This time they’ve chosen Capitol Hill as the venue for the stunt, called “Voices from the Womb,” where the public and all 535 representatives are invited to the [...]/p

GREAT NEWS!!!

2011-08-01T10:35:00.002-05:00

Anyone else ready for your birth control to be covered by your health insurance?

KOKH FOX 25 :: Top Stories - Birth control mandate proposal

2011-07-22T08:40:00.000-05:00

KOKH FOX 25 :: Top Stories - Birth control mandate proposal

ABOUT TIME!

2011-07-20T09:49:00.000-05:00

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Political Cartoon: "Pregnancy Scare?" by Mike Peters - Kaiser Health News

2011-07-07T10:43:00.000-05:00

Political Cartoon: "Pregnancy Scare?" by Mike Peters - Kaiser Health News

Legal in Name Only: How State Restrictions Deny Women Their Right to Abortion Care | RH Reality Check

2011-07-06T13:17:00.000-05:00

Legal in Name Only: How State Restrictions Deny Women Their Right to Abortion Care RH Reality Check

Clara M. Luper dies at 88; Oklahoma civil rights activist led lunch counter sit-ins

2011-06-10T15:38:00.000-05:00

Clara M. Luper dies at 88; Oklahoma civil rights activist led lunch counter sit-ins

Abortion in the United States

2011-06-07T11:08:00.000-05:00

Victory for Oklahoma!

2011-05-31T09:31:00.001-05:00

After women and families throughout Oklahoma voiced their strong opposition to a targeted attack on Planned Parenthood that threatened the health of needy infants and children, state lawmakers have allowed the bill to die in committee. At risk were critical food vouchers and nutrition services for the prenatal and pediatric clients that Planned Parenthood serves in Tulsa County. Legislative session formally concludes tomorrow.

The amendment, attached to SB 709, would have defunded Planned Parenthood’s Women Infant and Children (WIC) program in Oklahoma. The amendment applied to 9 organizations, but it was clearly a targeted attack that would have solely excluded Planned Parenthood from being able to provide nutrition vouchers to families participating in its prenatal and pediatric programs.

In opposition to the amendment, the Tulsa World editorial board (May 14, 2011) wrote, Here's the crux of the matter: In kicking Planned Parenthood out of the WIC program, lawmakers won't be punishing Planned Parenthood. They'll be punishing poor women who chose to have their babies and are trying to take care of them.

“We are extremely pleased that legislators in the State Senate and House have decided to end their dangerous political assault on the health of Oklahoma families. It is clear that the people of Oklahoma had no appetite for a bill that would have taken away much-need food vouchers from infants and children,” said Nancy Kachel, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Arkansas and Eastern Oklahoma. “This targeted political attack would have prevented Planned Parenthood from providing critical prenatal and pediatric care to women and children in Tulsa County. Allowing this bill to die has prevented what would have been a devastating impact on thousands of families.”

Earlier this month 150 Planned Parenthood supporters gathered at the Capital to express concern for Oklahoma women and families.

Planned Parenthood in Tulsa County has been committed to helping pregnant women have healthy babies for over 20 years with its prenatal program. They started full pediatrics 15 years ago when women and their families found it difficult to find a physician that had any openings.

Tulsa and surrounding counties’ patients rely on Planned Parenthood for prenatal services and later, full pediatric programs, which include immunizations, early screenings for hearing, vision, speech, physical and social development, and general health care. Planned Parenthood health centers in Tulsa County typically provide about 8,600 prenatal visits, and 5,600 pediatric visits a year.

Funding from the WIC program is critical to achieving healthy outcomes for Planned Parenthood’s prenatal care clients who badly need the nutrition and food vouchers provided by WIC to ensure healthy babies. After birth, WIC staff weighs, measures and tracks babies’ growth, and provide food vouchers to parents for their babies – and their babies’ siblings – to ensure healthy growth and development.

Revenge of the pink wave

2011-05-20T14:35:00.000-05:00

Video of our pink wave event last week! Looking good, ladies! Thanks to everyone who showed up to support us!

My own private Poland

2011-05-17T15:17:00.000-05:00

I hope the conservatives here aren't paying attention to what's going on in Poland. It might give them ideas. After all, what's more American than the desire to privatize anything, even abortion? Regulation, safety and women's health just aren't as important as having the moral high ground (and a great opportunity to make money)!

Misery loves company! And we have plenty of both

2011-05-11T14:47:00.000-05:00

This link sums up my feelings exactly about the onslaught of anti-choice, anti-woman legislation being brought up in Oklahoma and in other states. Guttmacher estimates there are about 570 proposed bills in 48 states that would restrict abortion. That is a mind-boggling amount. The article correctly notes that this anti-choice sentiment totally ignores the many issues facing the pregnant woman (and, as evidenced by Oklahoman legislation attempting to cut WIC funding, the newborn child). Makes you optimistic for the future, huh?

Planned Parenthood targeted for defunding in Oklahoma

2011-05-05T08:55:00.001-05:00

A recent amendment in the Oklahoma State Legislature was passed in the house which would cut funding for Women, Infants and Children’s (WIC) health programs at 9 Oklahoma Independent WIC Clinics including Planned Parenthood of Arkansas and Eastern Oklahoma, Inc. (PPAEO) in Tulsa.

During debate, the focus was STRICTLY FOCUSED ON DEFUNDING PLANNED PARENTHOOD.

This effort represents an extreme political attack that would have a devastating impact on thousands of Oklahoma families. Our fear is the bill is going back to committee to be amended to zero in on WIC funding for PPAEO only!

WIC is a program that provides women, infants and children free nutrition education and vouchers which can be used to purchase WIC-approved foods. Of the 76,000 visits made in Tulsa County last year by WIC recipients to independent contractor sites, 42,000 of them were to Planned Parenthood sites. Over 9,300 Tulsa County individuals are served by the Planned Parenthood WIC program.

If SB 709 as amended is passed the women, babies and children now receiving nutritional support at the same convenient location they receive their healthcare services will be Oklahoma victims of a larger debate in which they are not involved. They did not have an abortion. They had their babies. They need help in feeding and caring for their babies or they would not qualify for the WIC program.

This sort of discriminatory legislation, striking at the wrong target, serves only to make the Oklahoma legislature, and the state it represents, look extremist, reckless and uncaring for women and children.

Please call your Representative and your Senator today and ask them to vote against SB 709!

Check out these articles from The Huffington Post, care2.com, and the Tulsa World.

What they really mean...at 00:11:00 an attack on PPAEO in Tulsa

2011-04-22T11:17:00.001-05:00

House Session - Legislative Day 42 Afternoon Session

2011-04-22T11:02:00.000-05:00

House Session - Legislative Day 42 Afternoon Session

We are concerned about SB 709. At 3:00:25 seconds, this bill becomes personal...

Cecile Richards

2011-04-21T08:36:00.001-05:00

We're so excited to share that TIME Magazine named Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards as one of the TIME 100, the mag's annual list of the world's 100 most influential people! check out the entry about Cecile, written by Rep. Nancy Pelosi.

Love this!

2011-04-13T13:22:00.000-05:00

Well said...

2011-04-11T11:33:00.002-05:00

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

THIS IS WHO WE ARE!

2011-04-08T11:25:00.002-05:00

Every year, Planned Parenthood doctors and nurses provide; nearly one million screenings for cervical cancer, 830,000 breast exams, affordable birth control to nearly 2.5 million patients, nearly four million tests and treatments for sexually transmitted infections, including HIV testing.

These are the services that would be affected by the anti-Planned Parenthood rider.

THIS IS AN OUTRAGE!

2011-04-08T11:15:00.000-05:00

It's an outrage to shut down the government over an extreme proposal that would deny millions of women Pap tests, breast cancer screenings and birth control. Attacking Planned Parenthood’s preventive health care hurts women, does not cut the deficit or fix the economy, and must be stopped.

Averting a Government Shutdown? GOP Says Over Your Dead Body. And They Mean It.

HB 1888 passes the Oklahoma Senate

2011-04-06T14:13:00.000-05:00

Sadly, HB 1888 has passed the Oklahoma Senate by a vote of 38 to 8. Please contact Governor Fallin and ask her to veto this terrible bill. Why? See Phil's story below...

A very personal story: Why the Oklahoma Senate should vote no on HB 1888

2011-03-29T08:04:00.000-06:00

Dr. Phil Wood came to Oklahoma City at the last minute to testify against HB 1888. Although the Senate Public Health Committee voted to pass the bill to a vote of the Senate, Dr. Wood did an outstanding job!

Here is their story:

Thank you for the opportunity to address you about my concerns about this proposed legislation. I have decided to speak to your committee today in hope that some of the experiences of my family would be informative to you as you consider the issue of pre-viability abortion and later termination of pregnancy. My wife and I were faced with the difficult experience of having to abort our much-wanted twin sons at 22 weeks gestation. While I can claim to special insights into the very complicated issue which faces the committee by virtue of these experiences, I do feel that our experiences may help shed light on the complex medical and personal issues involved in the termination of such pregnancies. Our experience especially highlights many considerations involved in determining risk to the health of the mother. To summarize major points I wish to emphasize in the proposed legislation, I would like to note:

A. That there is a difference between a fetus which is "nonviable" and one which is "dying." I am particularly disturbed by the language in the committee which defines viability as a "stage" implying that viability is a sole function of gestational age.

B. That the children involved in our last pregnancy were genetically healthy, but, nonetheless "nonviable."

C. That in some cases a pregnancy can cause a health risk to the mother which may prevent the possibility of future pregnancies. Further, decisions regarding whether to continue a pregnancy and the evaluation of the risk to the mother are complex. Our experiences provided us with no "clear bright line" test which may be applied across all pregnancies. Our decision was made on the best medical information we had from the several doctors we consulted during this time and, more importantly, changed in dramatic ways over the course of the pregnancy.

D. In many ways my family was "lucky" in that we were able to save up enough money to end this pregnancy in a way which did everything we could to preserve the health of my wife. Had we not made it a regular practice to save a substantial portion of my paycheck, or if I had made less money than I do, our situation would have been much more difficult.

That many of the hardships which we encountered were due to the fact that no medical facilities were available in the State of Missouri to perform the abortion which was necessary.

A short personal description

Before describing our experiences, it is perhaps helpful to tell you a bit about myself. I teach at the University of Missouri in the Psychology Department. My wife and I both enjoy being active in the community. I am an active member of St. Andrew's Lutheran Church in Columbia. My wife and I are fortunate in having an adorable daughter, Julie, who is now a senior in high school and a son, Justin, age 11, who we adopted from China. I could be like any of your neighbors or constituents.

Our Pregnancy

Let me begin by first telling you that this pregnancy was very, very much wanted. Three years earlier, my wife had an ectopic pregnancy. Although we do not know if the ectopic pregnancy was to blame, we were not successful in our attempts to become pregnant again after that. After that, we began to work with a fertility clinic. We decided to have a GIFT procedure done, a surgical procedure which involved harvesting eggs from my wife, mixing them with my sperm, and returning them to her fallopian tubes. It is worthwhile to note that our use of the fertility clinic was in no way related to the medical difficulties which followed.

My wife and I were overjoyed to learn that this last procedure had been successful and that she was now pregnant. We soon learned that she was pregnant with twins. Our twins were, however, diagnosed as having two amnions, but a shared placenta. We did not discover the implications of this facet of the pregnancy until the 16th week of her pregnancy.

Identical Twins

Identical twins are quite rare, relative to fraternal twins. It is estimated by the Twin Twin Transfusion Syndrome Foundation (http://www.ttsfoundation.org/index.html) that up to about 15% of all identical twin pregnancies involve some degree of twin-twin transfusion syndrome if two amnions and one placenta are present. In twin-twin transfusion syndrome of the blood vessels of the fetus fails to return to it and instead crosses over to the circulatory system of the other twin. This transfusion poses great problems for both twins: The donor twin does not get all of the nourishment it needs because it doesn't have enough blood. The recipient twin suffers as well, because fetal blood is thick and pumping it places a burden on the heart of the fetus, causing the walls of the heart to thicken. It is difficult to know how many identical twins actually have this, given that such transfusion goes undiagnosed. I hasten to add that the twins involved are genetically and, apart from the difficulties posed by the transfusion "healthy." Twin Twin transfusion syndrome is a disease of the placenta.

The Problems

We first because aware of the problems with my wife's condition at 16 weeks, when we went to have an amniocentesis. Twin-Twin transfusion syndrome was diagnosed. The degree of transfusion was pronounced: One twin being a "stuck twin" meaning that it had little or no amniotic fluid around it, while the other twin had a surplus of fluid. We learned at this time that this condition is a disease of the placenta and that this condition put one or both of our twins at significant risk for cerebral palsy, mental retardation, and/or serious heart problems. The "donor" twin, who is giving blood to the other, can have stunted development while the recipient twin, who received the blood from the other, can have heart strain due to the effort of pumping the thick neonatal blood from his twin.

What follows is an annotated chronology of what happened next, which I've reconstructed from medical records and our best recollection. I apologize that some of the medical details are rather graphic, but I believe you need to know what we knew and when we knew it, and how the available medical details we had informed our private health care decisions at the time. I believe you will also understand that we did not choose to terminate this pregnancy at the first hint of potential problems.

Week of Gestation Event

Week 16 - Twin-Twin Transfusion diagnosed. Serial amniodrainage was done. This involved taking a large needle and draining about a liter of amniotic fluid off. It wwas hoped that resolving this fluid imbalance would help the transfusion syndrome to spontaneously resolve.

Week 17 - We learned the donor twin was diagnosed with club foot- presumable due to the fact that he had little or no amniotic fluid. It appeared that fluid had not re-accumulated around the larger twin. a physician we consulted with advised an additional ultrasound with high resolution in order to determine if there were additional problems with the twins.

Week 18 - Standard ultrasound revealed that the second twin had two club feet.

Week 19 - High resolution ultrasound reveals that, in addition, the transfusion problem appears to have interfered with the generation of kidneys in the smaller twin (although this is not certain at this point). This baby has no kidneys, no renal artery, and no bladder. In addition, the amniodrainage which was done has resulted in free-floating amniotic bands between the twins. These bands, which can wrap around the head, fingers, arms, feet and hands of the fetus, can result in amputations. In addition, these bands, if swallowed, can result in cleft palate and/or throat. Banding is described as "severe." My wife is now on bed rest. I care for my wife and daughter as best I can and juggle my work week accordingly. Doctors conclude that one twin poses a present clear risk to the life of the other and recommend a procedure in which the umbilical cord of one twin is tied off, causing it to die, and thereby prevent excess blood going to the other twin. such surgery is unavailable in Columbia, and we are referred to a specialist in Florida for the procedure.

Week 20 - Amniotic fluid is increasing in my wife, but no further drainages can be done because these bands float toward the needle and prevent the withdrawal of further fluid. My wife now looks as if she is nine months pregnant.

Week 21 - It is not possible to fly to Florida- no airline will fly a high risk pregnancy. I borrow my parent's van and we drive to Tampa, with my wife in the back of the van on a cot. It takes us two and a half days. My wife is very uncomfortable. The doctor in Florida informs us based on his ultrasound that surgery is impossible because the larger twin is now in heart failure, the amniotic banding is too severe, and his instruments need intact membranes to push against in order to do the surgery. He tells us that both twins will die, with or without surgery. He tells us that we should get an abortion if we ever plan to have another pregnancy, because of the risk of rupture to the uterus. There is some risk of amniotic embolism for my wife as well. His hospital, a Catholic institution, cannot perform such a procedure and he tells us to go home and find an abortion clinic. No doctors at this hospital or in Missouri told us that the pregnancy posed a risk to my wife's life; I would like to point out. I drive back to Missouri with my wife in the back of the van on the cot.

Week 22 - We attempt to get an abortion in St. Louis. They refuse to do this after evaluation because they say that the head of the larger twin is too large. The give us a sheet of paper with the addresses of three clinics- one in Atlanta, one in Houston, and one in Wichita. After consulting with our physicians, we choose Wichita. We set up an appointment at the clinic at the next available time, which is three days later.

I hope that the above chronology gives you a flavor of the many changing considerations which faced us during this time.

The Abortions

I probably do not need to tell you all the details concerning our visit to the clinic. I would like to give a general flavor, though, in mentioning the abortion protesters, their uninformed, but impassioned emotional harassment outside the clinic, especially at the sight of my wife, which appeared to outward appearances as if she was nine months pregnant due to fluid buildup. Inside, the laws of the state of Kansas require us to fill out forms describing the developmental progression of our boys, focusing on their ability to feel pain, how human they look, and basic descriptions of brain development. Although I feel the document was clearly designed to put more of an emotional burden on us, I found myself wondering what quality of life my boys would have if we continued the pregnancy further. "Surely they cannot feel very good in utero being as sick as they are," I thought.

The doctor, George Tiller, M.D., was especially caring and helped us to go through this ordeal together. (This was obviously prior to Dr. Tiller's murder while serving as an usher in Reformation Lutheran church for performing abortions such as the one I describe.) I was also present when the lifeless bodies of my sons were delivered. The doctor took care to allow both of us to see our boys, and I participated in a baptism for them which, while very sad, meant very much to me. I was gratified when, weeks later, a package arrived in the mail containing photographs of our boys which someone at the clinic had taken.

My observations and conclusions

• Later termination of pregnancy is not as available as the general public believes.

At the clinic, we met and got to know other couples who were going through similar problems from New York City, Chicago, and Texas. Although they didn't have twins, they all had similar cases where a genetically healthy child had something bad happen in utero (e.g., a disruption of food supply to the fetus, viral infections in the uterus, heart failure).

• What if we had waited or if the situation had become even more serious?

I have no idea, of course, what medical course would have been indicated if my wife had presented to the clinic in great distress with little time to preserve her health In such situations, there is often no clear bright line which details exactly when the life and not only the health of the mother is at risk. If such would have been the case for us, I feel I can speak for both my wife and myself in saying we would not hesitate to have such a procedure done that would have preserved her life.I do not know if my daughter and son would have a mother if we had not had this procedure or, if she did, what our lives would now be like. I shudder to think what would have happened to us if we had not saved the resources necessary to pay for the medical care we required. Individuals without such means are in dire straits indeed.

• Was our experience typical?

You may think that the situation I describe must be quite rare. I cannot present, by virtue of experiencing our loss, that I can know anything about the incidence rates of other problems. As a scientist, I can only suggest that carefully controlled information be gathered if you feel it necessary to know this. Our experiences, however, represent the issues which parents face when the unexpected happens and the only ones genuinely qualified to make these health care decision are our physicians and ourselves.

• A final note of thanks.

I have much gratitude to the physicians who helped us during this time. I would like to argue that the most competent and intelligent decisions regarding the care of my wife and the children from this last pregnancy were made in consultation with the physicians who helped care for us. To our surprise, many of the physicians had not even heard of the conditions I have described. The experience of this pregnancy, which began with such promise was, I believe, at times difficult for the physicians who cared for us as well. Sometimes, however, the right decision is one which involves great difficulty.

Senator Lautenberg Stands with Planned Parenthood

2011-03-25T10:34:00.000-06:00

'View' Fight Over Abortion Law

2011-03-14T10:03:00.001-06:00

A little ONION humor this morning...

2011-03-11T11:03:00.002-06:00

Oklahoma Doctors Can Legally Pretend To Give Abortions

HB 1571...UH OH...

2011-03-01T19:40:00.000-06:00

Today I attended the Public Health Committee of the House at our illustrious legislature to listen to debate on several anti-choice bills we’ve been following here at Planned Parenthood of Central Oklahoma. I’ve been doing this for many years now, and I guess you start to think you’ve heard it all. But here’s what I learned this afternoon.

If Rep. Vaughn has his way, in Oklahoma, a fertilized egg is about to achieve legal personhood, with all the rights attending thereto. Not just one fertilized egg, actually. All fertilized eggs, at least those still enclosed in a woman’s body. If they’re nesting in a test tube at a fertility clinic, they’re exempted. (What does that have to do with anything?!?! It’s a person or not—depending on where it’s located?)

So HB 1571 would designate a fertilized egg as a person if it’s still residing in its mother’s uterus. In the committee meeting, Rep. Jeannie McDaniel asked for clarification as to what this might mean to a woman carrying an early pregnancy who inadvertently did something leading to a miscarriage. Might she be charged with manslaughter or some similar crime?

Rep. Vaughn, speaking for this insane bill, conceded that this could, indeed, be the case, though he carefully pointed out that it wasn’t he who would make that decision, but the courts.

Are you getting this? If you’re two weeks pregnant and don’t even know it yet, and you do something that leads to a miscarriage, you could be charged exactly as you might if you accidentally or negligently killed a “post-born” person.

The only two Representatives on the Public Health Committee who had the guts to vote to protect us, their fellow Oklahomans—the ones outside our mothers’ bodies—were Jeannie McDaniel and Al McCaffrey.

Let me say here a public thank you to these two for their direct and horrified reactions to this insanity. Thank you for questioning this nutty, dreadful bill, for debating against it and for voting against it.

Anita Fream

Cecil Richards talks about the Pence Amendment

2011-02-21T14:12:00.000-06:00

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

OKLAHOMA: STAND WITH PLANNED PARENTHOOD!

2011-02-18T14:13:00.001-06:00

The vote today in the House of Representatives reflects the pursuit of an extreme political agenda by the Republican House leadership. The outcome of this vote is not a surprise, but it is radically out of step with mainstream American values, and it is out of line with what voters want Congress to focus on.

In attacking Planned Parenthood, the House Republican leadership has launched an outrageous assault on the millions of Americans who rely on Planned Parenthood for primary and preventive health care, including lifesaving breast and cervical cancer screenings, annual exams, birth control, HIV testing, and STI testing and treatment.

It now falls to senators from both parties to join together to reject this extreme approach, restore common sense, and guarantee that Planned Parenthood and the millions of Americans who count on us for health care are protected. Ensuring that Planned Parenthood serves millions of women each year is what mainstream Americans want and expect from the United States Senate.

We call on the United States Senate to defeat any bill that targets Planned Parenthood or women’s health care.

STAND WITH PLANNED PARENTHOOD today! Visit http://www.istandwithplannedparenthood.org/ and send YOUR MESSAGE!

Taking care of our patients is our priority...

2011-02-14T14:02:00.000-06:00

Our focus today, Valentines Day, is taking care of our patients as we do every day. If you support the right to receive high quality, low-cost healthcare, then you support Planned Parenthood of Central Oklahoma. There is nothing more important to us than you!

Bullet dodged for now...just wait until next week!

2011-02-10T14:51:00.000-06:00

The Oklahoma Legislative session ended early this week thanks to a whole bunch a snow! This buys pro-choice Oklahomans a little time to gain momentum for grassroots organizing. We know...there is little chance of stopping any legislation this year but hear us out.

As terrible as many of the anti-choice bills are this year, we want you to know that Planned Parenthood of Central Oklahoma, Planned Parenthood of Arkansas and Eastern Oklahoma and many other pro-choice organizations (OCRJ, Sally's List, ORCRC, CRR and PPFA) are still going to put up a fight to protect our reproductive rights.

One thing we've learned over the years, it takes many to stop any legislation! More than ever, we need you! Join our action network today by emailing ppco@ppfa.org to receive important legislative updates which you can forward to your friends and family.

It will take MANY TO STOP ANY and we're counting on you!

Six AWESOME Prevention Bills to SUPPORT!

2011-01-26T10:42:00.000-06:00

With out a doubt, the next two to four years are going to be difficult for reproductive rights in Oklahoma. In an effort to get you slowly acclimated to the shock of what we are facing we wanted to ease into the good first. There are six very positive prevention bills we want you to start spreading the good news about:

HB 1195 - Author Rep. Jeannie McDaniel
Requires the board of education to provide age-appropriate instruction in human growth and development, and ensure that all curricula and materials are age-appropriate and medically accurate.

HB 1272 - Author Rep. Jeannie McDaniel
Creates the Compassionate Assistance for Rape Emergencies (CARE) Act. Requires the State Department of Health to make available information about emergency contraception; Requires the Department to monitor compliance of the CARE Act.

SB 37 - Author Sen. Jim Wilson
Mandates local school board to ensure sex education material is medically accurate; defines medical accuracy and provides guidelines.

SB 39 - Author Sen. Jim Wilson
Mandates that pharmacies must dispense contraceptive drugs and devises, clarifies the pharmacy's right to refusal, and allows notification of a customer's rights.

SB 491 - Author Sen. Connie Johnson
Establishes the Compassionate Assistance for Rape Emergencies Act; requires hospitals to provide victims of alleged rape incidents with information regarding emergency contraception.

SB 535 - Author Sen. Connie Johnson
Established the "Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Act"; requires schools to provide students with instruction regarding human sexuality and safety methods and concerns barring parental objection.

The legislative session starts February 7th. Familiarize yourself with these bills and be prepared to contact your legislators to support all of these preventative bills which will make a real impact on unintended pregnancies in Oklahoma...click here to find your legislator...

One Last Firewall for Choice in Oklahoma? | RHRealityCheck.org

2011-01-21T08:53:00.001-06:00

One Last Firewall for Choice in Oklahoma? RHRealityCheck.org

Yes, this is going to be a tough four years for reproductive rights in Oklahoma. Grassroot support is going to more important than ever. Get your legislators on speed dial, put their emails in your contact list, open the dialogue with your family and friends and be ready!

Roe v. Wade Anniversay - Cecile Richards, President, Planned Parenthood ...

2011-01-18T11:25:00.000-06:00

Question?

2011-01-06T10:14:00.000-06:00

Why is it when disaster strikes, the violent crime of rape increases?

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

MTV's Truths Vs. Anti-Choice Lies | RHRealityCheck.org

2011-01-03T10:42:00.000-06:00

MTV's Truths Vs. Anti-Choice Lies RHRealityCheck.org

Redneck Republicans: So-called ‘far right’ state GOP on wrong path

2010-12-15T08:55:00.000-06:00

Redneck Republicans: So-called ‘far right’ state GOP on wrong path

Honoring Elizabeth Edwards by Trusting Women | RHRealityCheck.org

2010-12-13T15:51:00.000-06:00

Honoring Elizabeth Edwards by Trusting Women RHRealityCheck.org

Updating Our Symbol

2010-12-06T11:18:00.000-06:00

Click on the following link to watch a video of Jennifer Baumgardner reading from her book "Abortion & Life". Click here! The part that really stuck out to me was around 5:50 in the video. Baumgardner asks "A current symbol of reproductive freedom, what would that be?" and follows with a few thought provoking ideas. What are your thoughts? We'd love to hear!

How to End Abortion Stigma Without Throwing Your Teammate under the Bus | RHRealityCheck.org

2010-12-03T14:15:00.000-06:00

How to End Abortion Stigma Without Throwing Your Teammate under the Bus RHRealityCheck.org

2010-11-22T11:26:00.002-06:00

My Patients Deserve Complete Care: Why I Support New York City’s Crisis Pregnancy Center Bill | RHRealityCheck.org

2010-11-15T16:03:00.000-06:00

My Patients Deserve Complete Care: Why I Support New York City’s Crisis Pregnancy Center Bill RHRealityCheck.org

Hell No We Won't Go.

2010-11-10T11:38:00.000-06:00

Did you see this drama on 'The View' the other day? While watching the fiasco, I couldn't help but wonder where I would have been in this situation. Would I have joined in with Whoopi and Joy marching off the stage, or would I have nodded my head agreeing with Barbara's speech about "being able to have discussions without washing our hands and screaming and walking off stage"? It's going to be a tough four years for reproductive health Oklahoma, simply put. Now is the time to consider how you will respond. Will you march off the stage? Give up? Play the peace-keeper? Attempt to discuss your point of view with those who differ? Or will you come up with something entirely new and orignial to make sure your voice is heard? We are marching on, looking forward to four creative, dedicated, passionate, educated years ahead of us. Where will you be? Play your part, whatever that may be.

PersonhoodUSA's Radical, Fetal-Separatist Agenda | RHRealityCheck.org

2010-11-08T15:21:00.000-06:00

Is this next for Oklahoma?

PersonhoodUSA's Radical, Fetal-Separatist Agenda RHRealityCheck.org

What Happened When I Yelled Back at the "Christians" Calling My Wife a Murderer | | AlterNet

2010-11-01T09:19:00.000-06:00

What Happened When I Yelled Back at the "Christians" Calling My Wife a Murderer AlterNet

Colorado-CrackedEggs.dv

2010-10-28T12:50:00.000-05:00

Excellent video from the Tulsa World...

2010-10-27T09:31:00.000-05:00

Birth Control as Preventive Medicine?

2010-10-19T11:49:00.001-05:00

Of course!
Birth Control as Preventive Medicine? - KTUL.com - Tulsa, Oklahoma - Coverage You Can Count On

"Abstinence-Only: The Video Game"

2010-10-06T11:19:00.001-05:00

Federal Government: We gave you $434,000 in taxpayer money, and all we got was this lousy abstinence-only video game featuring creepy purple avatars.

Good News...

2010-10-01T15:48:00.002-05:00

As part of President Obama's Teen Pregnancy Prevention Initiative, three organizations in Oklahoma will receive Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP)funding, which is designed to reduce adolescent pregnancy and help youth to develop important life skills.

The evidence is undeniable — when young people get programs that give them the skills they need to make responsible decisions and take care of themselves, they avoid early pregnancy.

Good job everyone!!!!

Tough times for choice

2010-09-20T16:18:00.002-05:00

As you can tell, Pro-choice Oklahoma will be taking a huge hit for the next few years. Both of Oklahoma's Gubernatorial candidates have stated they are anti-choice with the exception of one candidate who believes its okay for a woman to terminate a pregnancy in the case of rape and incest or for the health of the mother.

This year, we've learned an important lesson...the more horrendous the bill coming out of our Oklahoma legislature, the worse we look. AND the worse we look, the more Oklahomans speak out! Thank goodness women and men across our state are forming their own groups to counter attack the war on women in Oklahoma and elect pro-choice legislators!

We've heard and seen just about every kind of anti-choice legislation created and the worst is yet to come. That said, prevention legislation is going to be key in lowering the abortion rate in Oklahoma.

So lets focus our energy on something that will create positive change in our state.

Look out for those education bills which support teaching our children age appropriate medically accurate sexuality education. Support programs that teach not only abstinence but educate on contraception. Watch for those bills which would require emergency contraception be offered at every Oklahoma hospital no matter what the church affiliation.

Prevention should be the focus for 2011-2012. We may not have much to stop anti-choice legislation but we can darn sure support any preventative legislation to help lower the rate of unintended and unwanted pregnacies in Oklahoma. Lets work together to get the word out, support our friendly lawmakers and make help these bills become law!

Certainly a wake-up call...

2010-08-31T11:05:00.002-05:00

Pro-ana (anorexic) websites are very popular among young women. This story from NBC is definitely a wake-up call for everyone!

Can't seem to get the video downloaded so click here to see the whole story...

Loaded Terms

2010-08-19T09:02:00.002-05:00

There is a new study out claiming that heterosexual teens who have sexual intercourse (meaning vaginal intercourse in this context) within romantic relationships perform academically at the same level as their abstinent counterparts.

Heather Corinna and the Scarleteen team have given the study a pretty firm critique, and the media sensationalising of the study an even bigger one. Various news reports are stating that committed relationships do less damage than casual sexual relationships or "hooking up." The study only used the terms romantic and non-romantic, which are loaded terms in and of themselves. What constitutes either to adults, let alone teenagers? The study also only suggests a correlation, not cause. There are of course, many environmental and social factors beyond sexual relationships that effect someones academic performance.

We like nice letters...

2010-08-06T12:39:00.002-05:00

PPCO's outgoing summer intern wrote us a lovely note, thought we would share...

Two and a half months ago I began a journey that led me to a new way of thinking, seeing, and understanding the world and the relationships of the people within it. I had been poking at the surface of this path for a while now, but was submerged and immersed within it this summer. What started it all? My internship at Planned Parenthood of Central Oklahoma.

I expected to learn a lot about how a non-profit works and a bit about what Planned Parenthood does and yada yada. I, however, did not expect to become truly passionate about and involved in protecting women’s rights and Planned Parenthood’s role within that. I’m not saying I didn’t feel strongly about women having the right to choose, or just rights in general, because I did. But I now have much stronger and more solid understanding and reasoning behind it. Before, I knew people should have the right to make choices, whether the choices revolve around their sexual orientation, parenthood, etc, but I didn’t feel as closely connected to that belief or as involved in it as I do now. After listening to people’s stories, seeing the strength and dedication of women who fight for each other’s rights, and experiencing the majority of the state government’s frustrating resistance I truly feel a part of and connected with my belief that everyone needs the right to make decisions in their lives. Without decisions, what are we? Choices define who we, as individuals and as communities, are. If our right to make choices about life-altering situations and events is stolen from us, how would we know who we are and what would we, as a country, become?

My incredible experience at Planned Parenthood and the amazing, passionate people there have given me the tools and strength I need to grow and expand as a woman and as a pro-choice supporter. I had a choice to intern at Planned Parenthood and I am so thankful for that choice and opportunity. I learned invaluable lessons and information, met some awesome people, and loved every minute of it.

Thanks Laura, we appreciate all your help this summer!

Miss New York taking a stand!

2010-08-02T13:58:00.001-05:00

Too Many Hoops

2010-07-30T15:28:00.002-05:00

Steph Harold over at RH Reality Check has an article up about why some women obtain second trimester abortions. No surprises here. They do it because they have too...raising money, arranging travel and childcare, and jumping through the many legal hoops that anti-choice legislators raise up high (and set on fire) take a lot of time. Also, thanks to the lack of sexual education being taught, many young women take longer to realize they're pregnant, either because they don't recognize the symptoms or go by certain myths that say they can't possibly be pregnant. Sigh...

Tons New to Be Said

2010-07-27T16:43:00.002-05:00

Frances Kissling of RH Reality Check asks us, "Abortion: Anything New to Be Said?" in response to registration opening up for the Open Hearts, Open Minds, and Fair Minded Words conference at Princeton coming up in October. The answer is yes, there is still plenty to be said. Now, will both sides be able to hold it together without flying off the handle? I hope so. Either way, you should totally go to the conference if you can at all make it. And you should tell us all about it when you get back, because some of us are broke non-profit workers.

January Y'all, Be There.

2010-07-20T11:42:00.004-05:00

The temporary injuction has been extented for the mandatory ultrasound law. Pay special attention to the ladies in pink in that video (the link), because they all rock.

We Love Us Some Pro-Choice Muckraking

2010-07-16T12:47:00.004-05:00

So by now everyone should have heard of the awesome documentary 12th and Deleware coming to HBO on August 2nd. If not, the link goes to the trailer, and the documentary is about crisis pregnancy centers and how evil and manipulative they are, to put it a blunt and concise way.

In the same vein NARAL of California has released an awesome report on CPCs in the California area. (Warning: the link opens to a PDF).

And lastly, RH Reality Check's Charlotte Taft details her dealings with a CPC calling itself The White Rose (named after an anti-Nazi resistance group, isn't that classy) when she ran a clinic in Texas in the 80's.

NARAL has a letter to superpages.com and yellowpages.com that everyone can sign, asking the websites to take down any and all CPC advertising that misleads consumers into thinking they provide abortion services, thus violating terms of service for the websites.

Just by looking under Abortion Alternatives (unfortunately, this category doesn't seem to be against TOS policy) in Oklahoma on Yahoo Local, there are 10 listings just within Central Oklahoma. One group has almost as many locations as Planned Parenthood does. Not cool.

Voting?

2010-07-07T16:42:00.006-05:00

Well, it's that time of year...candidates are hitting the trail trying to win your all important vote! Now as Planned Parenthood of Central Oklahoma is a non-profit we can't be involved in any election or electioneering process...we do however want to encourage you...private pro-choice citizen... to make an effort to find out not only how your candidates feel about choice but about women's health and contraception.

In 2008, the world celebrated the election of our current President...in Oklahoma we were mourning our ability (enough Senate votes) to stop any anti-choice legislation for two years. It's been tough.

Vote wisely my friends...

Possible Good News for Military Women

2010-06-25T09:31:00.002-05:00

RH Reality Check's MakoSharkEsq has written a very interesting article on the history of the abortion ban in the military, and provides some good information on the awesomeness of the Burris Amendment...which has a very good chance of getting the ban lifted.

Limiting choice holds back society

2010-06-02T11:08:00.002-05:00

People often talk about how youth are the change of today and the hope for the future. So much change comes from college campuses and young people getting involved in their communities, locally, nationally, and internationally. We’re following in the footsteps of those who have made changes and continue to do so. They have been fighting a long hard battle for women’s rights against those who are hypocritical and do not seem to care about those outside their small, exclusive bubble.

Such people want young people to change the world, but within certain boundaries. The world is at your fingertips, they may tell us, but then they take away a woman’s right to make her own choices and choose her destiny. Where is the world for her? If a woman cannot have control over her own body, then how can she have control over what she wants to do? The U.S. has made large strides in regards to women’s rights. We have the opportunity and choice to vote, go to college, and pursue nearly any career. Why can’t we have a choice over our own bodies already?

I wish people could open their eyes and minds, step into the present, and let women make choices of their own instead of micromanaging or scaring women away from what they feel they need to do. Women are fully capable of making decisions for themselves and do not need others telling them what they can and cannot do. We have been through that enough. Does anyone like to be limited from choices and opportunities? If limits like this were placed on everyone, we would not have any kind of advanced technology and would not understand the capacities of the human brain. Why open doors for things like nuclear weapons that destroy people and the world and limit a woman’s right to choose her destiny? We cannot change the world when others hold us back.

Comments from guest blogger Laura Davis

VETO OF HB 3290 STANDS!

2010-06-01T10:33:00.002-05:00

Thanks to the pink brigade and all the pro-choice advocates in the state, the veto of HB 3290 stands!

November is the single most important month for reproductive rights in Oklahoma. It matters who you vote for...ask the questions and get the answers...

VETO NUMBER FOUR!

2010-05-27T08:29:00.003-05:00

Late yesterday Governor Henry vetoed HB 3290! VETO NUMBER FOUR, can you believe it? Call, email, fax your senator today and ask him/her to sustain the Governor's veto!

Click here to find your legislator's contact information...

Senate overrides Governor Henry's Veto of HB 3284

2010-05-25T16:20:00.003-05:00

Exhausting. Once again, anti-choice/anti-woman legislators have overridden yet another veto from Governor Henry. Debating to sustain the veto on HB 3284 were Senators Rice, Wilson, Eason McIntyre, C. Johnson and Adelson. Suprise of the day was the addition of Republican Senator Jim Reynolds to the debate reiterating the fact the goverment should be staying out of personal healthcare decisions.

The gallery was a sea of pink thanks to many pissed off women and men who made their voices not only heard but seen today and yesterday. You betcha we're pissed.

Please thank Senators: Adelson, Ballenger, Crutchfield, Easley, Eason McIntyre, C. Johnson, Laster, Leftwich, Lerblance, Paddack, Reynolds, Rice, Sparks, Sweeden, and Wilson for standing up for reproductive rights in Oklahoma!

There's one more bad bill we want Governor Henry to veto and that's HB 3290 which bans insurance coverage for abortion. Make your calls today, keep up the pressure...

GOVERNOR VETOES HB 3284!

2010-05-24T15:37:00.002-05:00

Governor Henry vetoed HB 3284 over the weekend! Call your senator and ask him/her to sustain the veto today! An override attempt can happen anytime this week so be aware and we'll keep you posted!

PLEASE VETO HB 3284

2010-05-19T10:27:00.002-05:00

HB 3284 is currently sitting on Governor Brad Henry's desk awaiting a veto (we hope)! Please contact the Govenor and ask for his veto...then call your SENATOR to ask for a vote to support the Govenor's veto effort.

More than 30 questions to be asked before you receive a legal medical procedure...ARGH! Here is one question that really puts the "what the hell" question in the minds of every pro-choice person in America, the infamous question #15:

15. Unless a medical emergency, as defined in Section 1-738.1 of Title 63 of the Oklahoma Statutes, exists, the abortion provider or agent shall ask the pregnant female to provide, orally or in writing, the reason(s) she is seeking the abortion. If such a medical emergency exists, the abortion provider or agent shall specify on the form the condition which necessitated the immediate abortion: ___________________

REASON GIVEN FOR ABORTION (check all applicable):

Having a baby:
Would dramatically change the life of the mother: _________
Would interfere with the education of the mother: _________
Would interfere with the job/employment/career of the mother: ______
Mother has other children or dependents: ________
Mother cannot afford the child: ______
Mother is unmarried: ________
Mother is a student or planning to be a student: ________
Mother cannot afford child care: _______
Mother cannot afford the basic needs of life: ________
Mother is unemployed: _________
Mother cannot leave job to care for a baby: _________
Mother would have to find a new place to live: _________
Mother does not have enough support from a husband or partner: _____
Husband or partner is unemployed: _______
Mother is currently or temporarily on welfare or public assistance: _________
Mother does not want to be a single mother: _______
Mother is having relationship problems: ________
Mother is not certain of relationship with the father of the child: ________
Partner and mother are unable to or do not want to get married: _______
Mother is not currently in a relationship: _______
The relationship or marriage of the mother may soon break up: _______
Husband or partner is abusive to the mother or her children: _______
Mother has completed her childbearing: ________
Mother is not ready for a, or another, child: _______
Mother does not want people to know that she had sex or became pregnant: ________
Mother does not feel mature enough to raise a, or another, child: _______
Husband or partner wants mother to have an abortion: ______
There may be possible problem affecting the health of the fetus: ________
Physical health of the mother is at risk: ________
Parents want mother to have an abortion: _________
Emotional health of the mother is at risk: ________

Mother suffered from a medical emergency as defined in Section 1-738.1 of Title 63 of the Oklahoma Statutes: ______
Mother wanted a child of a different sex: ______
Abortion is necessary to avert the death of the mother: ______
Pregnancy was a result of forcible rape: ______
Pregnancy was a result of incest: ______
Other (specify): ______
Patient was asked why she is seeking an abortion, but she declined to give a reason: _______

PLEASE CONTACT THE GOVERNOR TODAY! OKLAHOMA CAN NOT LET THIS BILL BECOME LAW!

Hypocrisy

2010-05-19T10:13:00.003-05:00

According to our friends at feministing: Representative Mark Souder of Indiana, a staunch abstinence only and "sanctity" of marriage advocate, is resigning after it was revealed that he was having an affair with a staff member.

So I guess as long as you have that ring on your finger, you can have sex with anyone, not just your spouse, after marriage. No wonder they like that set-up so well.

Here It Goes Again....

2010-05-13T09:21:00.003-05:00

Abortion info bill wins Senate OK

We need 17 votes to veto fellas! Start writing! Maybe we can get rid of this thing before we have to wait for it to be ruled unconstitutional again.

Tulsa Pro-Choice Advocates Organizing

2010-05-05T09:04:00.003-05:00

A meeting protesting the recent passage of two anti-abortion bills will be held on Monday, May 10th, 7:00 p.m. at Fellowship Congregational Church, 2900 So. Harvard, Tulsa.

The meeting will feature a forum entitled “Ethics, The Law and Reproductive Health."
The purpose of this meeting is to educate the public about how these bills intrude on personal privacy by putting the state between doctors and their patients, and to develop a plan of action to counter this type of legislative harassment.

In addition, a panel will discuss the only piece of legislation still waiting to be passed, House Bill 3284. This bill will jeopardize the right to privacy of women obtaining abortions in Oklahoma. If passed, House Bill 3284 will impose extensive new reporting requirements on doctors and patients. It will violate patient privacy and confidentiality by requiring doctors who provide abortions to report personal details of their patients' intimate lives to the state. It will require the state to make this information available to the public by posting it on the internet.

The meeting is sponsored by the Oklahoma Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, Tulsa Interfaith Alliance, Oklahoma Reproductive Health Coalition, Pastors for Peace, American Civil Liberties Union of Oklahoma, NE Okla. Chapter of Americans United for the Separation of Church and State, Planned Parenthood of Arkansas and Eastern Oklahoma, Reproductive Services for Women, and Fellowship Congregational Church.

Forum participants will include:

Nancy Kachel, Planned Parenthood of Arkansas and Eastern Oklahoma
Linda Meek, Clinic Director
Tamya Cox, Legislative Counsel, ACLU of Oklahoma
Caroline Abbott, Attorney and Patient Advocate
Martha Hardwick, Oklahoma Counsel with the Center for Reproductive Rights
Rev. Paul Ashby, Minister of Fellowship Congregational Church

The Oklahoma Law and My Ultrasound | RHRealityCheck.org

2010-05-04T10:08:00.001-05:00

The Oklahoma Law and My Ultrasound | RHRealityCheck.org

Posted using ShareThis

Thank goodness!

2010-05-03T10:46:00.005-05:00

Judge Noma Gurich signed a temporary restraining order to halt the mandatory use of ultrasounds an hour before an abortion procedure until a hearing in July.

Thank you Judge Gurich!

Hear Ye, Hear Ye

2010-04-30T13:27:00.004-05:00

According to NewsOK.com a hearing has been scheduled on Monday for a lawsuit filed by the Center for Reproductive Rights that may block the enforcement of the ultrasound law until litigation is over.

Not suprisingly, clinics are reporting that the ultrasound has no affect on the choice women make to have an abortion, it just makes it a traumatic experience for them.

Anita on Rachel Maddow

2010-04-29T09:29:00.003-05:00

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

HB 2656 and HB 2780 overruled

2010-04-27T14:13:00.002-05:00

Well, its true. We were one vote shy of sustaining the governor's veto of HB 2656 and HB 2780. Outstanding debates from Senators Adelson, Rice, Wilson, Leftwich, McIntyre, Lerblance, and Connie Johnson. Also voting with us were Ballenger, Crutchfield, Sparks, Sweeden, and Wyrick.

I have to say, these folks really have a grasp reproductive health issues and we thank them for their brave stance against these horrible bills...

Governor Henry...thank you for your veto...

It's been a tough day for reproductive rights in Oklahoma...be sure to thank Rep. Lisa Billy, author of HB 2780 and Rep. Daniel Sullivan, author of HB 2656 for their intrusion of our private lives.

Might as well email them when you have an annual exam too.

The count down begins...

2010-04-26T09:23:00.006-05:00

How long will it take before the Oklahoma Senate adds a veto attempt of HB 2656 (wrongful life) and HB 2780 (ultrasound) to the calendar? The session starts at 1:30 p.m. today and you can bet attempt number one will be at 1:31 p.m.!

Contact your senator today and ask him/her to uphold Governor Henry's veto of HB 2656 and HB 2780! Click here for more information about your senator.

Please call or email today, tomorrow and all week!

Governor Henry Vetoes HB 2656 and HB 2780

2010-04-23T14:56:00.003-05:00

Call Governor Henry today and thank him for his veto of these bad bills!

The challenge is on to find enough votes to sustain the vetoes.

A BLOW FOR OKLAHOMA

2010-04-20T09:38:00.004-05:00

Yesterday, the Oklahoma Senate passed five onerous pieces of legislation. Four of which are extreme:

HB 2656 limits damages for wrongful life and birth actions which allows doctors to lie to patients about the status of the fetus if the physician belives you'll terminate. Also you can't sue the doc.

HB 2780 requires an ultrasound one hour before an abortion procedure with what ever type of ultrasound would give the clearest view while the provider tells the patient what he is viewing on the screen (vetoed in 2008);

HB 3284 which creates a reporting website (duplicate site) filled with private information about why a woman chose to terminate a pregnancy (vetoed in 2008); and

HB 3290 which regulates the use of RU-486 (the abortion pill) and was also amended to include a ban on insurance abortion coverage in Oklahoma. (similar to 2007's law)

Pro-choice or middle of the road alike, these are terrible bills and need to be stopped. Please contact Governor Henry today and ask him to veto these bills AGAIN!!!!!

A Blow for Nebraska

2010-04-14T09:25:00.002-05:00

Our deepest sympathies go out to Nebraskan women, reproductive rights supporters, and especially Dr. Carhart. The Nebraskan legislature passed LB1103, the "Pain Capable Unborn Child Act" virtually banning all abortion in Nebraska past 20 weeks.

This isn't just a blow for Nebraska women, but women all over the United States that seek late term abortion from one of the few providers left in the U.S. You can bet this law will be challenged in court.

The link above to an article written by Dr. Julie Burkhart explains how you can get involved.

Pro-choice advocate Sherri Finik passes

2010-04-13T10:18:00.004-05:00

Thank you for your fearlessness Sherri.

Case in Point

2010-04-09T09:45:00.002-05:00

An SMU law graduate in Dallas was arrested this morning after trying to put a restraining order on police. Why? Because he didn't want them to try to hurt him when he walked into into the Southwestern Women's Surgery Center and had to hurt others to "save innocent lives."

Wow...just...wow. Good thing this guy was too delusional to keep his plans secret. We can only hope that other anti-choicers seeking to terrorize clinics will have that level of hubris so they're caught.

Oklahoma Gov. Brad Henry signs 3 anti-abortion measures | NewsOK.com

2010-04-05T14:32:00.000-05:00

Oklahoma Gov. Brad Henry signs 3 anti-abortion measures NewsOK.com

Conviction in Conviction

2010-04-02T10:11:00.003-06:00

Scott Roeder, murderer of Dr. George Tiller, has been sentenced to the maximum 50 years without the possibility of parole. Roeder is 52 years old, so that’s pretty much it for him in terms of seeing the light of day as a free man. Justice is on our side for a change.

Roeder ranted and raved through some of the proceedings, and was led screaming from the court room. A Huffington Post article I found about the story mentioned something that I found pretty interesting concerning Roeder’s (ex, why am I not surprised) family:

{“Roeder's ex-wife said the outbursts were characteristic of the man she knew. Lindsey Roeder said she and their son, Nicholas, were relieved by the sentence.

"I think it will be a lot easier to put it behind us than it will be for the Tiller family," she said. "Their pain will continue long after ours has subsided." }

It’s quite telling that the most zealous of anti-choice activists, who supposedly cares so much for the “lives” of embryos and fetuses, potential children in their eyes, will think nothing of the suffering that they will cause their own living, breathing, perfectly personifiable children and families by their actions. It’s all about them, their ability to control others, and their self-inflicted martyrdom.

It is important to emphasize that Roeder is not a sane man in a world gone mad, as those that testified for him and many hard line anti-choicers paint him as. He is insane. He ruined his marriage and his relationship with his son persuing demons and strawmen that do not in fact exist in reality, but in his head and the heads of his ilk. Unfortunately, Dr. Tiller, through no fault of his own, was chosen to be one of those demons. This kind of behavior isn't restricted to anti-choice circles either, but runs throughout society (Solanas and Warhol, for example). Any divisive issue breeds this.

It is the hope of many that Roeder's conviction will deter zealous anti-choicers from this kind of violent behavior, but I fear it will only drive them further. Indeed I'm sure Roeder is sitting in his cell at this moment feeling quite the martyr. I can only hope along with the Tiller family that he not be allowed to, "foment hatred from his prison cell."

Bullying expert: Massachusetts school didn't use advice | NewsOK.com

2010-03-30T13:22:00.000-06:00

Bullying expert: Massachusetts school didn't use advice NewsOK.com

This is heartbreaking...

The Waiting is the Hardest Part

2010-03-26T10:49:00.002-06:00

From RH Reality Check: Let Down Again: Obama’s FDA Inexplicably Fails to Advance New Emergency Contraception Rules

Over a year ago a judge told the F.D.A. that they might want to actually go by scientific evidence as opposed to political ideology since it was the F.D.A. and not the Police What Goes Into Or Out Of A Woman's Body Brigade. After which, the F.D.A. seems to have stuck its fingers in its ears and went, "La la la la la..." for a year because you still have to ask a pharmacist for emergency contraception, and you still have to be at least 17 to ask for it despite there being no good reason to do so.

It would be great if someone started ponying up that scientific integrity they were so adament about...just sayin'.....

Reform: Glacial, not Sweeping

2010-03-24T09:16:00.002-06:00

RH Reality Check’s Jodi Jacobson gives a precise reading of the good and bad of the landmark health care reform that was just passed in this article.

Insurers will not be able to deny coverage based on pre-existing conditions starting in 2014. Women will have more access to OBGYN and midwife care, and gender-rating has been partially eliminated. Free preventative care will begin in new plans starting in 2018. Medicaid has been expanded as well as funding for community health centers and primary health care doctors.

Now the bad…is pretty bad. You still have to pay more as you get older, and when it comes to group insurance plans, when you’re female. You don’t get any coverage for five if you’re a new immigrant.

And, of course, abortion care will continue to be eroded in private insurance.

This reform is by no means ideal, but it's something to work with. Optimism people! Optimism!