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Issues of Interest | Become an Advocate

Issues of Interest

Health Quarters has identified the following issues for action and support this year:

MASSACHUSETTS

Family Planning Funding FY’08

Governor Patrick endorsed the funding level approved by the Legislature for family planning funding, an increase of 22%! This both restores the 6% funding cut that family planning providers suffered in the current fiscal year, and provides an overall increase of $1 million for these programs. This funding will help programs continue to provide rapid HIV testing and other reproductive health services that also work to lower risk for HIV infection and transmission among some of our most vulnerable populations. Remember - for every $1 spent on Family Planning, the State saves $3.40.

An Act to Provide Health Education in Schools

(filed by Senator Joan Menard and State Representative Alice Wolf)
Senate Bill 102, House Bill 1641

HQ supports this bill, which would insert health education, as defined by the Massachusetts Comprehensive Health Curriculum Frameworks and as required by the Supreme Judicial Court, into the core curriculum for public schools. School districts would be required to teach age-appropriate health education in grades K-12. The bill will be heard by the Joint Committee on Education on Tuesday, May 29, 2007 at 1:00pm at the Massachusetts State House in Room A-1.

An Act Relating to the Policy of Parental Notification of Human Sexual Education in Public Schools

(filed by Representative Joyce Spiliotis)
House Bill 1050 (similar bills are HB 1011, HB 1015, and HB 1166)

HQ opposes this bill, which would change the Commonwealth’s current “opt-out” policy for sex education classes in public schools. The bill would mandate that any sex education class be offered on an elective basis, and that written permission would be required for student participation.

This bill was heard by the Joint Committee on Education on March 6, 2006 and placed into study order on March 23, 2006. No further action is expected this year.

FEDERAL

Prevention First

HQ supports Prevention First (S. 20/H.R. 1709), a package of legislative initiatives designed to expand access to preventive health care services and programs that reduce unintended pregnancy, infection with sexually transmitted disease, and the need for abortion. more >>

Unintended Pregnancy Reduction Act

HQ supports the Unintended Pregnancy Reduction Act of 2006 ((S. 2916/H.R. 5795), which is designed to ensure that Medicaid coverage for family planning services remains accessible to low-income women. more >>

Become an Advocate

You can become an advocate for Health Quarters and reproductive health care in these ways:

Join our advocacy network

When you join, we’ll send you regular legislative updates and other news impacting HQ’s work plus alerts when we need to quickly mobilize our supporters. We will also provide you with messages and communication tips. You don’t have to be a “pro” to speak your mind!

Call, email, or write your legislators

A phone call is the more personal method of communicating with your legislator, although you will probably speak to an aide. Your message will get through, though, so be sure to get his/her name for follow-up calls. Emailing is another immediate way to make your views heard, while a letter provides valuable physical evidence of your contact. You are always free to write your own letter or email but often we will provide a letter you can send under your name.

Meet legislators on your own or participate in HQ’s annual lobby day

When you take the time to personally meet with your legislator (or aide), it shows that you are seriously concerned about reproductive rights. more >>

When you sign up to be part of our advocacy network, you will have an opportunity to join staff of Health Quarters and other Massachusetts family planning agencies at our yearly winter/spring lobby day at the State House. A non-staffer can make a real impact in promoting our cause.

Contact reporters to comment on stories or write letters to the editor

Journalists appreciate hearing from their readers, so express congratulations for a story that hits the mark and challenge those that may be lacking a pro-contraception point of view. Letters to the editor take your opinion to a larger reading audience and attract community interest.

Attend rallies

Health Quarters can keep you posted by email regarding rallies and other mobilizations.

Sign a petition

As with rallies, Health Quarters will reach out to you for support when a submitting a petition can make an impact on legislators, either locally or nationally.

Vote!

Your vote does count. As we approach the coming presidential election, pay close attention to the candidates’ positions on reproductive rights. We’ll provide information to help you sort the rhetoric from the reality.

US Senators and Representative

Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D- MA)
202-224-4543 202-224-2417
http://kennedy.senate.gov/senator/contact.cfm

Senator John F. Kerry (D- MA)
202-224-2742 202-224-8525
http://kerry.senate.gov/low/contact_email.html

Representative John Tierney (D - 06)
202-225-8020 202-225-5915
http://www.house.gov/tierney/IMA/email.shtml