Summer, Special Session and Reasons to Continue Working Toward a Pro-Choice Indiana

June 9, 2009

Note in response to Dr. Tiller's death:

The beginning of summer was marked by a tragic loss for pro-choice advocates all over the country and the world. Planned Parenthood Advocates of Indiana (PPAI) and Planned Parenthood of Indiana (PPIN) join the numerous organizations and individuals who are shocked by the murder of Dr. Tiller in Wichita, Kansas and are mourning his loss.

The outpouring of sadness and anger, from the Planned Parenthood family and beyond, as a result of this tragedy only serves to recommit us to our mission. If you are interested in doing something to brighten the day of Planned Parenthood staff members at a health center near you, please e-mail advocates@ppin.org to see how you can help.

Thank you for your continued support during this especially trying time for reproductive rights. We will continue to move forward with open hearts, but vigilance too.

Planned Parenthood Advocates (PPAI) of Indiana is kicking off the summer with a focus on two areas—a new campaign promoting nationwide reproductive health care for all and the Indiana General Assembly's special session.

First, in coordination with our national office (Planned Parenthood Federation of America), we will be at festivals and holding community-oriented house parties and events promoting "I've Got a Plan!"—a plan for national health care that includes access to affordable, reproductive care.

The White House and Congress have laid out an aggressive timeline to address health care reform this summer. As the nation's most trusted reproductive health care provider and an integral part of America's health care safety net, Planned Parenthood and our supporters need to be a part of the process to ensure that our health centers and services are included in the final health care reform plan. We'll have more details posted soon, but if you're interested in helping us out with this campaign, e-mail advocates@ppin.org and we'll get you on board!

Second, Governor Daniels has announced that the special session of the Indiana General Assembly (IGA) will start on June 11 and not end until the state has a budget. PPAI will once again be monitoring the IGA to ensure that no anti-choice language is slipped into the budget at the last minute. PPAI will also be watching the special session to ensure legislators' focus stays on passing a budget that is best for all Hoosiers and that they don't get distracted during this important time for our state. Passing a budget is critical to ensuring that Hoosiers continue to have access to needed health care services that safety net providers like PPIN provide which is especially critical in this economic downturn. Keep checking our Advocates homepage to stay informed.

With the election of a pro-choice president, we have seen a rise in anti-choice extremism (including right here in our own state when President Obama spoke at Notre Dame in South Bend). Your public support for reproductive rights is needed to push the pro-choice movement forward in the Hoosier state. Thank you for all that you do, and never hesitate to contact us with questions or ideas about promoting choice in Indiana.