Why We’re Watching New Hampshire
In June of this year, the New Hampshire Executive Council — an independently elected body that oversees administrative contracts — took the unprecedented action of rejecting a routine funding renewal with Planned Parenthood of Northern New England. This decision reversed a 40-year history of family planning services provided at Planned Parenthood health centers. Led by Councilor Daniel St. Hilaire of Concord, the decision left close to 16,000 women in New Hampshire without access to essential preventive health services, including birth control.
The Executive Council’s rash decision motivated hundreds of women’s health supporters across New Hampshire to take action and demand the restoration of funds. Activists gathered at rallies in Concord and Manchester, put up “I Stand with Planned Parenthood” lawn signs, and filled to capacity the voice mailboxes of the three executive council members who voted to end the contract. And while the Executive Council refused to listen to the outcry from New Hampshire women, there was good news in September, when federal authorities charged with overseeing this critical health program recognized the immediate and negative effect on patients and acted swiftly to restore funding in communities where preventive health services provided by Planned Parenthood had been disrupted.
Take Action:
Stand up for Planned Parenthood. Tell the Executive Council and members of the New Hampshire House and Senate that we won’t stand for attacks on essential services.
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How We Got Here
In 2010, anti-choice majorities were elected to the New Hampshire House and Senate. While pro-choice Governor John Lynch has worked to uphold critical protections for women’s health care, anti-choice leaders such as Councilor Daniel St. Hilaire and Speaker Bill O’Brien are working to turn back the clock on women’s health in New Hampshire.
Key Article:
Planned Parenthood Defunded in New Hampshire
Laura Bassett, Huffington Post 7/11/11
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