Last week President Obama addressed the Planned Parenthood 2013 National Conference. History was made this day as President Obama became the first sitting President to address Planned Parenthood.
Cecile Richards, President of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, touted the major advancements for women made by the President. From passing the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, renewing the Violence Against Women Act, and, most significantly, championing the Affordable Care Act, which allows young adults to stay on their parents health insurance until age 26, provides no-cost birth control, prohibits denying coverage because of pre-existing conditions, removes discriminatory gender-based premiums, and so much more.
In his speech President Obama called out extreme anti choice legislation passed in North Dakota outlawing a woman’s right to choose to terminate a pregnancy as early as six weeks- even if she has been raped. He also referenced the state level efforts, like in Mississippi, to pass Personhood laws that would have far reaching consequences including limiting access to invitro fertilization and some forms of contraception- a battle which is looming on the horizon in North Dakota.
Watch the President’s address in its entirety here…
~Amy Jacobson ND Public Affairs Manager at PPMNS