CARE&
For Supporters of Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio
COMPASSION
Provide. Protect. Expand.
Planned Parenthood’s new national leader works with our team.
INTRODUCING THE OHIO CENTER FOR SEX EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY INITIATIVES
GAG RULE IMPACT ATTACK ON TITLE X ADVOCACY UPDATE FROM THE FRONT LINES
CARE & COMPASSION · SPRING 2019 A Newsletter for Supporters of Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio
Our mission is to protect, promote,
YOUR COMPASSION
and provide empowered health
care and medically-accurate sex education for generations of women, men, and families across Ohio.
Your compassion,
Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio
support, and advocacy
operates 19 health centers serving
ensures that every
nearly 65,000 patients annually and
person who needs
is an affiliate of Planned Parenthood
Planned Parenthood will
Federation of America.
find our doors open to
Board of Directors President and CEO Iris E. Harvey Board of Directors Jennifer McNally, Chair Sandra Anderson, Vice Chair Kate Asbeck, Treasurer Susan G. Quinn, OD, FAAO, Officer without Portfolio Hilary White, Secretary Barbara Broome, PhD, RN, FAAN Fritz Byers, JD Mary Jo Green Lyla Blake-Gumbs, MD Derrick Hall, JD, PharmD, MBA Stephen Keyes, JD Rob Martens
“At Planned Parenthood, I felt like I was being helped and not judged. I made my own decisions and choices with my care and I am forever grateful.” – Jennifer,
South Euclid
Kimberly Moses, JD
welcome them. Thank
you for helping us to fulfill our promise to
deliver supportive,
nonjudgmental, unbiased reproductive health
care and sexual health education.
Are you interested in
learning more about the
programs and services
covered in the Care &
Compassion newsletter? Our development
officers are available to answer your questions,
Lauren Norelli
comments, and concerns.
Jonathan Petuchowski
Send us your thoughts at
Deborah B. Ratner Joseph Ruby
newsletter@ppoh.org.
www.ppgoh.org Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio is a 501(c)(3) organization. Donations are fully tax-deductible to the extent determined by the Internal Revenue Service. 1
206 E. State Street Columbus, OH 43215 614-224-2235
444 W. Exchange Street Akron, OH 44302 330-535-2671
25350 Rockside Road Bedford Heights, OH 44146 440-232-9732
OUR THANKS Iris E. Harvey and Dr. Leana Wen visiting the Bedford Heights Health Center.
Dear Supporters, The last two years have been arduous for Planned
Parenthood affiliates across the country, but Planned
Parenthood of Greater Ohio stands out as one of the most
embattled. The opposition we face may be strong, but we are stronger. More Ohioans than ever need Planned Parenthood,
and our contribution to Ohio communities is undeniable.
We do not accept the latest attacks on Ohioans’
right to choose what is best for their lives and families. We do not accept the onslaught of hostile legislative
activity coming from the Ohio Statehouse and Governor DeWine’s administration.
We do not accept the Trump-Pence administration’s
Here is what also gives me hope: the extraordinary
assault on the Title X program.
donors, and volunteers — the strongest and most fearless
These attempts to eliminate health care for the most
opposition we face makes you — our patients, advocates,
supporters in the nation. Thank you for standing with us,
and for never backing down.
vulnerable members of our communities are a violation of
basic human rights. Together with our devoted Board of
In January, our affiliate was proud to host a visit from
Directors, senior leadership team, and staff, we are planning
a new direction for Planned Parenthood that will allow us to
Dr. Leana Wen, the new president of Planned Parenthood
expand and fortify our organization for the future.
November of 2018, she knew the serious challenges that
And to you, our strong and fearless supporters, we owe
Federation of America. When Dr. Wen took her position in our state faces in the fight for reproductive rights, which is why she made Ohio the first stop on her nationwide
listening tour. During her visits to Cleveland and Columbus,
Dr. Wen was impressed with our innovative programs, our
dedicated staff, and our loyal supporters. She took time to
listen to the concerns of local public health officials, elected
officials, and community partners at roundtable events,
and together, Dr. Wen and I informed them of our plans to
continue to provide, protect, and expand health care in
a debt of gratitude. Your generosity and compassion,
your strength and resolve, make our mission possible.
You empower us to continue the fight, to stand up for
our patients, and defend the access to health care and
sexual health education that all Ohioans deserve. Thank you for standing with us in the past, present, and future.
With gratitude,
Ohio, despite the hostility we endure.
With your support, we at Planned Parenthood will not abandon the patients we pledged to serve.
Iris E. Harvey President and CEO
CARE & COMPASSION: A NEWSLETTER FOR SUPPORTERS OF PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF GREATER OHIO
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THE FIGHTS WE FACE An overview of the numerous attacks on reproductive rights and health care. Since 2010, more than 420 restrictions on abortion
have been passed at the
state level. Opponents of reproductive rights have
been ruthlessly proposing harmful and unethical
legislation again this year in
Ohio and throughout the
country, making it difficult
for many to keep track of the
ongoing fights we face. As
FEDERAL TITLE X GAG RULE
we go to print, here are the
most current updates on the
quickly-evolving pending legislation that Planned
The Title X gag rule prohibits health care providers
challenge through advocacy
abortion. This rule also includes language specifically
Parenthood will fiercely
and litigation.
in the Title X program to refer patients for an
designed to block patients from coming to Planned
Parenthood, which will have a devastating impact on their health, their rights, and their lives. See page 5 for an in-depth look into the gag rule.
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Senate Bill 23 (six-week ban) bans all abortions when a fetal heartbeat can be detected, which is as early as six weeks, before most people even know they are pregnant. This essentially bans abortion
in Ohio. Governor DeWine signed this bill into law on April 11, 2019, but it is being challenged in court by the ACLU, Planned Parenthood, and other independent abortion providers. See page 8 for an
Senate Bill 27 forces patients who choose abortion to choose either
cremation or burial after their abortion procedure. This bill is medically
unnecessary and ignores the fact that
patients already have this option if they choose it. The reality is this bill adds another barrier to accessing abortion while trying to shame the patient.
in-depth look into the six-week ban.
OHIO SENATE BILL 23
OHIO SENATE BILL 27
OHIO HOUSE BILL 90
OHIO HOUSE BILL 182
House Bill 90 would require the Ohio Department of Health and Board of
House Bill 182 would prohibit insurance companies and public employee benefit
Education to implement a costly,
plans from offering coverage for abortion
in schools and health care facilities
most employer-based insurance plans.
abstinence-only instructional program
care, which is currently covered under
that would include public posting of misleading anti-abortion propaganda.
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THE IMPACT OF THE GAG RULE The tragic irony about the gag rule: it harms the very people Title X was designed to help. More than 60% of Ohioans who depend on Title X
rely on Planned Parenthood health centers, including
people like Cecilia and her mother. “I was raised by a
single mother in a home where economic stability was never guaranteed and went without health insurance for intermittent periods of time. Thankfully, Planned
Parenthood was there for me and provided access to regular gynecological exams, birth control, and the
peace of mind that comes from knowing they’ve got me
covered, without shame, judgment, or reservations.”
Title X is a long-established federal program dedicated to ensuring access to basic preventative reproductive
health care like birth control, cancer screenings,
sexually transmitted infection testing and treatment,
and well-woman exams. No Title X funds are used to fund abortion. Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio
has consistently received Title X funding since the
program’s inception over 35 years ago, and received the grant yet again this April.
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However, on March 4, the Trump-Pence administration
established new criteria for Title X providers, including
the “gag rule,” which would make it illegal for providers to refer patients for abortion, and eliminate the
guarantee that pregnant patients will hear about all
of their options. Because we are committed to ethical patient care and providing patients with all of the
critical information pertaining to their health, Planned
Parenthood cannot possibly comply with this new rule if, and when, it is implemented.
“We will not force Planned Parenthood clinicians to withhold critical information from patients.” – Iris E. Harvey, President and CEO, Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio
On March 5, Planned Parenthood Federation of
America joined with the American Medical Association in filing suit against the Trump-Pence administration to block the gag rule. To date, 22 states have also
filed suit against the Trump-Pence administration over the gag rule. Sadly, Governor DeWine and Attorney
General Yost have failed the 60% of Ohioans who
receive Title X care at Planned Parenthood by not
joining in the fight against this unethical rule.
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“This rule compromises the oath that I took to serve patients and help them with making the best decision for their own health.” – Dr. Leana Wen, President, Planned Parenthood Federation of America
Greater Ohio is committed to serving the communities that rely on us. With
your support, we will continue to explore
innovative, practical, and effective ways to
continue delivering the high quality health care and sexual health education that we have become known to provide to the
communities that need us the most.
Layla needs Title X for an intrauterine device (IUD).
Chris needs Title X for STI testing. Erin needs Title X for cervical cancer screenings. 7
Be assured, Planned Parenthood of
Mary needs Title X for her annual well exam.
STANDING STRONG We won’t give up the fight against the most restrictive abortion ban in the country. The attacks in Ohio on Planned Parenthood and
reproductive rights in 2019 have been reckless and
unrelenting. Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio is
currently fighting several assaults on reproductive rights, but the most restrictive is Senate Bill 23, which bans
abortions at six weeks of pregnancy. The six-week ban
was signed into law by Governor DeWine on April 11, 2019,
and will be challenged in court by the ACLU, Planned
Parenthood, and other independent abortion providers.
“When regarded collectively, these numerous attacks on
Planned Parenthood and reproductive rights are indisputably
“It’s clear that this is a concerted effort to block Ohioans from accessing the full range of reproductive health care, including safe and legal abortion.” – Iris E. Harvey, President and CEO, Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio
part of an overarching plan to restrict access to the health
care Ohioans need,” says President and CEO Iris E. Harvey.
CARE & COMPASSION: A NEWSLETTER FOR SUPPORTERS OF PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF GREATER OHIO
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Kylee, who was a victim of human trafficking at the age
of 10, testified in opposition to the six-week ban before the Health, Human Services and Medicaid Committee.
“At age 11, while being trafficked, I became pregnant
from rape, but there is no exception for rape or incest
“It’s time to stop criminalizing reproductive health care and interfering with the personal decisions of the
people of Ohio,” Lauren says. “Banning abortion would not eliminate abortion in Ohio; it would just make it
less safe, putting pregnant people’s health, lives, and
in the six-week ban,” said Kylee. “These legislators
families in jeopardy.”
traffickers did. The main idea I hear behind this bill is
By the time this newsletter reaches you, the news about
would’ve condemned me to the same fate that my
the supposed protection of children, but I ask you, was I
not a child?” If the six-week ban is implemented, victims like Kylee will essentially lose access to all abortion,
regardless of their circumstances.
Poll after poll shows that the majority of Americans
support protecting access to safe and legal abortion.
Lauren Blauvelt-Copelin, recently appointed Vice
the six-week ban and other restrictions to reproductive
health care will undoubtedly have changed. One thing has not, however, and will not: Planned Parenthood’s resiliency and determination to persist, despite
relentless opposition. Planned Parenthood will continue to fight for the right of all Ohioans to access safe and
legal abortion care.
President of Government Affairs and Public Advocacy for Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio (PPAO),
is leading the fight against the six-week ban and other
anti-reproductive health care legislation.
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CARE & COMPASSION: A NEWSLETTER FOR SUPPORTERS OF PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF GREATER OHIO
YOUR GIFTS AT WORK “When she qualified, she cried.” The Crane Family Foundation enabled us to launch a
sighed and said she would go ‘on the pill again.’ I asked
reversible contraception, or LARC, at no charge after
When I told her about the efficacy and duration of
program which offers qualifying patients long-acting they receive abortion care. Thanks to the Crane Family
Foundation, patients who qualify for this program have
been able to choose the LARC method that suits their needs without worrying about whether or not they can afford it.
her if she liked the pill, and she said that she didn’t.
protection with LARCs, she rolled her eyes and told me she didn’t have insurance. When I told her that a free LARC may be an option, she wanted to be screened. When she qualified, she cried.”
Health Services Project Manager Jamie Hamilton recalls
This generous investment by the Crane Family
met with a patient who had four children at home, and
access to the effective birth control they need, which
a conversation with a beneficiary of the program. “I
was here for an abortion. She was exasperated at her
life situation. When we talked about birth control, she
Foundation has made it possible for patients to have
empowers them to control their lives and improve their futures.
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REFRESH & EXPAND Introducing the Ohio Center for Sex Education. Ohio is the only state in the country with no health
Vice President of Community Engagement, oversees this
provider of sexual health education in Ohio, Planned
Education Specialists, who boast 200 years of collective
education standards. As the preeminent and largest
Parenthood strives to change that, which means elevating
experience providing comprehensive sexual health
giving them the recognition they deserve.
sexual health education, both Diego and the OCSE were
its high quality sexual health education programs and
education. Because of their positive impact in the field of recently awarded the 2019 Sex Ed Impact Award by the
We proudly announce the launch of the Ohio Center for Sex
prestigious Center for Sex Education in New Jersey.
at Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio (PPGOH). The OCSE
Diego describes the OCSE’s award-winning approach.
Education (OCSE), which replaces Education and Outreach provides fact-based, medically accurate, and inclusive
sexual health education to a diverse population of young
people, parents, caregivers, and youth-serving professionals.
Diego Espino, a veteran employee of 15 years and the
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newly rebranded department and its Community Health
“The Ohio Center for Sex Education customizes its
programs based on the audience’s needs, and are
tailored to any specific topic or area of interest. The Peer
Education Program is a perfect example.”
2018 OCSE Summit Panel, left to right: Dr. Joycelyn Elders, Diego Espino, Phyllis Harris, and Councilmember Elizabeth Brown.
Teens like Kayla are trained to have one-on-one
conversations with their peers about reproductive health
and sexuality issues, and refer them to important resources, including PPGOH services. “I feel like me being there
makes the topic of sexuality less taboo when they see
someone the same age,” Kayla says, pointing out how
teens tend to be more comfortable talking with peers.
Ohio is the only state in the country with no health education standards.
Earlier this year, and because of Governor DeWine’s
efforts during his time as the Ohio Attorney General, the Ohio Department of Health stripped funding
from Planned Parenthood affiliates that supported
educational programming, including the OCSE. After this disappointing loss of funding, the OCSE aims
to secure funding from new and current donors that
will enable the expansion of services by forming
partnerships with new schools and community groups,
and by expanding a fee-for-service model that will help protect the program in an uncertain future.
To help spread awareness and encourage engagement
amongst supporters, the OCSE holds an annual summit
that gathers educators, nonprofit professionals, advocates,
school board representatives, parents, caregivers, and
young people who understand the importance of
comprehensive sex education and want to be advocates in their own communities. The 2019 Ohio Sex Education
Summit will take place on October 11 in Cleveland. If you want to learn more about or attend the
OCSE Summit this year, or if you want to learn how to
become an advocate for comprehensive sex education in your own school district, please contact Diego at Diego.Espino@ppoh.org.
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INVESTING IN A REVOLUTION Terry Orr: Compassionate impact, even from afar. “I have always had a strong sense of place,” says Terry Orr,
“I’ve always valued Planned Parenthood for being a place
It’s unrecognizable.” Though she currently lives in New
be treated.” As a college student, Terry encouraged her
southeast Ohio. She recalls the restrictive environment
Parenthood, and accompanied her to the closest health
“and it matters to me that this is what Ohio has become. York, Terry grew up in Gallipolis, a small, rural town in of her childhood in the days before Roe v. Wade. “No
where young women can go and talk, seek health care, and
friend, who had just become sexually active, to visit Planned
center. Her friend brought along her current medications.
one talked about sex,” says Terry. “I grew up in a culture
“She came out in tears because she found out that her mother
just disappear. The lack of conversation, the ignorance,
without her knowledge.” Planned Parenthood gave her the
of ‘good girls don’t.’ Girls who became pregnant would
and her dermatologist had actually put her on the pill
and the shaming were profound to me.”
accurate information she needed and the care she deserved.
Many years later, when Terry and a former classmate
Terry wanted to make a bold impact in southeast Ohio, and
counted the number of girls who disappeared due to
of Greater Ohio to support the Athens Health Center,
were reminiscing over their high school yearbook, they
unintended pregnancy. It was equal to the number of girls who graduated and went on to enroll in college.
chose to give a very generous gift to Planned Parenthood as well as to Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio.
Terry’s concerns for the people of Ohio compel her to
“There was a sharp ‘good girl/bad girl’ dichotomy, and it really silenced girls and put them at risk.” – Terry Orr, PhD, PPGOH and PPAO Donor
give with compassion yet again this year. “We are at
ground zero again, where we were in the 1970s. It’s like
we have to prove over and over again that family planning
matters. Ohio governors have put policies into place
that just make life harder in southeast Ohio,” Terry notes.
She gives generously to help change take shape, and
encourages others to do the same, regardless of where
they live. “I want to encourage friends and families to
give back, to make Ohio better, and family planning is the start of it. I want to be proud of Ohio again.”
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TECH INITIATIVES Meeting patients where they are: online. The best way to increase access to reproductive health care means meeting patients where they
are. For so many people — especially young people — that place is online. Chat/Text
“During my first semester of college
Last year, over a million people in
the country logged on to Planned
Parenthood’s website or texted “PPNOW” to 774636 (PPINFO) to ask Planned
Parenthood Health Educators questions
about sexual and reproductive health.
away from home, I had questions about some pain I was experiencing. I was too embarrassed to ask my parents or my family physician, who were both over 100 miles away. Because of the Chat/Text
In 2018, one in three people who used
program, I was able to get answers I
health center for care within 10 days.
– Jessica, Akron
PPDirect
Roo
Chat/Text came to a Planned Parenthood
Planned Parenthood affiliates in Ohio joined affiliates in 22 other states to
launch Planned Parenthood Direct, a
proprietary online telehealth platform that enables patients to use an app
on their mobile phones to access care.
Licensed Planned Parenthood clinicians
conduct the patient consultations and can prescribe birth control pills. The
pills are conveniently delivered directly to a patient’s home or pharmacy.
Additionally, our clinicians can prescribe treatment for urinary tract infections.
needed with the privacy I was hoping for.”
Introduced in the fall of 2018, Roo is an
extension of the Chat/Text program that is available 24 hours a day, seven days
a week. This automated expert allows
visitors to Planned Parenthood’s website to ask anonymous questions about their
bodies, sexuality, puberty, relationships,
and related topics that they may feel too
awkward to ask aloud. Roo answers simple
questions, and refers users to the Chat/Text program and other resources, such as the
closest health center.
CARE & COMPASSION: A NEWSLETTER FOR SUPPORTERS OF PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF GREATER OHIO 14
206 EAST STATE STREET COLUMBUS, OH 43215
WHY I GIVE In February, Char and Chuck Fowler graciously hosted a fundraiser for Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio that
brought together supporters at Nighttown Restaurant
and Jazz Club in Cleveland Heights for an evening of
entertainment by artist Nellie McKay.
Their event raised over $19,000 for patients of Planned
Parenthood of Greater Ohio, but this wasn’t the first time they’ve put their generosity into action. Char and Chuck
“It’s so important to us that we gather our friends and family together to support the mission of Planned Parenthood. Not only does it raise critical funds for the organization, but it also galvanizes us as supporters, and reminds us that we are all fighting for an extremely important cause.” - Char and Chuck Fowler
Fowler organized a similar event for Planned Parenthood
Advocates of Ohio in October of 2017 that raised support for advocacy efforts.
If you feel inspired to plan a gathering like the Fowlers, please email events@ppoh.org.