Komen | Be a Seed for Change

February 14, 2012

The Fight for Women’s Health Must Continue

When the news got out that the Susan G. Komen foundation had cut off funding for breast cancer screenings at Planned Parenthood, men and women across the country were outraged. They didn’t understand the decision, they didn’t agree with it—and they did something about it. They made their voices heard loud and clear, and they got results. Komen did the right thing and announced that they had reversed their initial decision—and I want to commend them for that. Their mission— and their great work in the fight against breast cancer— is too important to get mixed up in partisan politics. Although this reversal was a great victory for so many women across America, let’s be clear: Our fight for women’s health does not end here. There are still many who will continue to put partisan politics ahead of women’s health and we need to make sure that the grassroots support and energy that successfully came together to right this wrong continues to stand firm against each and every attack that comes our way.

“Patty Murray Fights for Women’s Rights—Even When It Isn’t the Issue of the Day” – The Stranger

Virtual Town Hall with Disabled American Veterans

This week, I had the opportunity to chat one-on-one with veterans across the country in a Virtual Town Hall Meeting, organized by Disabled American Veterans, a non-profit charity dedicated to building better lives for America’s disabled veterans and their families. In the hour-long chat, I heard from people on a wide range of issues including mental health care, VA claim wait times, women veterans, and veterans jobs. Over 3,000 veterans, members of the military, and family members participated in the chat. I will use the struggles, stories, and suggestions I heard to continue to fight for veterans in Washington, D.C. – Read more

View full transcript of the Virtual Town Hall

Join HCAN in calling for an end to the Republicans’ witch hunt against Planned Parenthood.

Women won a great victory in the GOP’s war on women’s health. After the Susan G. Komen Foundation said it would stop funding low-cost medical services provided by Planned Parenthood, millions of people spoke up to register their opposition. Following days of relentless criticism, the Komen Foundation apologized and reversed itself.

The reason Komen used for its initial decision was that Planned Parenthood was under a government investigation. But what is this “government investigation” of Planned Parenthood? It is nothing more than a witch hunt by anti-Planned Parenthood ideologue, Representative Cliff Stearns (R-FL). He has pledged to defund Planned Parenthood – a move that would deny 3 million people access to basic health services including cancer screenings.

When Komen adopted this new rule, it was clear that Planned Parenthood would be the only organization affected. Without warning, Komen abandoned its nonpartisan stance and became a symbol of the Republicans’ overreach.

Right-wing ideologues like Rep. Stearns and his war on women must be stopped.

Will you join us by signing our petition calling on Rep. Stearns to call off his witch hunt?

It’s a crime to deny our care.

Thanks,

Will O’Neill

Health Care for America Now