October 2009

Join the Fight for Women’s Health in Health Care Reform

Our Victories So Far

At every step of the health care reform debate, PRCH has connected physicians and supporters with the action in Congress. Together we have spoken out to defend abortion from attack. We have told Congress that every woman must have affordable health insurance that covers contraception, prenatal care, and all of her other reproductive health needs. (See our position statement.)

Since the spring, we have helped defeat 37 dangerous anti-choice amendments to various health reform bills. We have contributed to two amendments that protect women’s preventive care, and they both passed.

Health care reform is now close to becoming law—keep watching your email for chances to intervene. So far, PRCH doctors have sent hundreds of messages, and made hundreds of calls to key senators and representatives. We have visited dozens of legislators’ offices, in Washington and their districts. (In the photo, PRCH medical director Anne Davis, MD, MPH, delivers our petition for reproductive health care in health reform to Rep. Charles Rangel’s home office.)

We will not let up. Check your email for the next opportunity to make sure health reform serves women.

Leadership Training Academy Welcomes Inaugural Class

21 Physicians Begin Rigorous Advocacy Program

Through the new Leadership Training Academy, PRCH can now teach more physicians from more specialties how to be lifelong advocates for reproductive health. Twenty-one doctors started at the Academy in September, and they represent obstetrics/gynecology, maternal fetal medicine, family medicine, and adolescent medicine. Before the Academy, PRCH’s leadership program trained five or six physicians per year, all family planning fellows.

For their first experience with the Academy, the doctors went to Washington, DC, in mid-September for four days of intensive leadership and advocacy workshops that culminated in a trip to Capitol Hill. The Academy Fellows visited 56 congressional offices to make the case for the inclusion of comprehensive reproductive health care in health reform.

The Fellows’ immersive learning will continue through the academic year, guided by top experts in leadership, reproductive medicine, medical education, the media, and public policy. We look forward to the changes our Fellows will make in reproductive health care, both this year and beyond. (See more photos of the Academy’s Advocacy Day in Washington here.)

Fighting the Lies About Reproductive Health Care

Christopher Estes, MD, MPH—A PRCH-Trained Advocate

Christopher Estes, MD, MPH, does not tolerate misinformation about reproductive health care. “Whenever I hear a conversation about contraception or abortion, I work my way into it to be sure that the truth is heard.” He has taken on myths like “IUDs and abortions make you sterile, birth control pills cause cancer, and women who have abortions are stupid, irresponsible, selfish, or all three.”

An ob-gyn in Miami, Dr. Estes has many chances to step in, both in English and Spanish. He relies on the communication skills he learned during his year of leadership training with PRCH. He also picked up a love of political advocacy—taking his patients’ needs straight to lawmakers. Before PRCH, he had never done any activism. Now he says, “I can’t imagine not doing it.” Read more about Dr. Estes, his openness about providing abortions, and his advice to medical students.

Supporting Dr. Carhart

First Major Anti-Abortion Protest Since Dr. Tiller’s Murder

In late August, Operation Rescue descended on former PRCH board member and William K. Rashbaum Abortion Provider Award recipient LeRoy Carhart, MD, and his clinic in Nebraska. We created a Facebook page to show him our support, which more than 500 people have joined. Board chair Suzanne Poppema, MD, also recorded a video statement in solidarity. Dr. Carhart thanked PRCH for our “amazing support.” At the clinic on the day of the protest, his supporters outnumbered the anti-choice demonstrators two to one.

Reproductive Health Goes Back to School

ARHEP Lessons for Physicians

In September, PRCH’s Adolescent Reproductive Health Education Project (ARHEP) brought teen-specific best practices to doctors and other medical professionals serving students at schools in two major cities. Erica Gibson, MD, presented the ARHEP module “The Essentials of Contraception and Adolescents” to 60 physicians from New York City’s Office of School Health. Across the country, David Breland, MD, MPH, addressed “Male Adolescent Reproductive Health” in his meeting with 25 doctors, nurse practitioners, and other staff from Seattle and Kings County school-based health centers. Each of the 13 modules in the ARHEP curriculum can be downloaded here for free.

Help Support PRCH Year-Round

Become a Monthly Donor

Monthly donors are an important and loyal source of funding at PRCH. Monthly, electronic gifts provide a consistent and efficient income stream for our organization throughout the year. Knowing that we can count on your support each month, we will be able to eliminate mailings, decrease fundraising expenses, and put more of your generous gift toward PRCH’s educational and advocacy programs. And with fewer paper mailings, you’ll help us help the environment too!

Please become a monthly donor by visiting our website or contact Elizabeth Bookwalter at 646-649-9924 for more information.