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Guest Opinion: Planned Parenthood celebrates a century of activism Sunday Oct 9, 2016 at 12:01 AM By Mary Nolan On Oct. 16, Planned Parenthood celebrates its 100th anniversary. For the past century, Planned Parenthood health centers have provided Americans with essential care — and defiantly fought to ensure no one can take that away. In the Rogue Valley alone, Planned Parenthood health centers serve about 8,500 women, men and young people each year. Planned Parenthood Advocates of Oregon knows that this work is not done. With the presidential election less than 30 days away, it is important to remember that the candidate we elect on Nov. 8 will have the power to decide if millions of Americans continue to have access to affordable and respectful reproductive health care. Make no mistake: Reproductive health and rights are at stake in this election. Donald Trump has made it clear that he simply doesn’t think women are capable of making decisions for themselves and their families: He wants to ban abortion; he has repeatedly pledged to defund Planned Parenthood; and he would even make it more difficult — and more expensive — to get birth control. But Trump is not the only problem. Last year in Salem, right-wing politicians introduced five bills to restrict women’s health — including one that could have shut down nearly every abortion provider in Oregon. When Planned Parenthood Advocates of Oregon passed landmark legislation to guarantee 12-month birth control dispensing, the leader of Jackson County Right to Life outrageously admitted, “We oppose the pill because it can act as an abortifacient.” Extremists have already introduced a 2018 ballot measure that would amend the Oregon Constitution to ban abortion access for low-income women. For these politicians, it may seem like a political game. But for the patients who depend on that essential health care, the results are devastating. One in five women will get care at Planned Parenthood in her lifetime. As a health care provider, Planned Parenthood has seen the devastating consequences for women when politicians restrict access birth control, cancer screenings, STD testing or safe, legal abortion. Public health suffered in states when Planned Parenthood was prevented from serving those who rely on publicly funded health programs. After Texas cut Planned Parenthood out of its family planning program for low-income women, researchers estimate that up to 240,000 women tried to end a pregnancy on their own without medical assistance. After Gov. Mike Pence signed a bill to defund Planned Parenthood in Indiana, the residents of Scott County experienced an epidemic of HIV, but had no provider able to prevent it. So when politicians attack access to basic reproductive health care, they’re attacking every individual who depends on those services. But as we face unprecedented attacks, we also have incredible momentum. As Planned Parenthood celebrates its 100th anniversary, we’re celebrating incredible advances in reproductive freedom. Last summer, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down that restrictive Texas law, making clear that laws must be based in science, not ideology — and with it five abortion restrictions were immediately stopped in their tracks. Hillary Clinton is running on one of the most progressive party platforms in history — one that makes it clear that access to reproductive health care is essential. Gov. Kate Brown has boldly and effectively protected women’s access to the health care they need. Though we’re still seeing attacks on the state level, it’s becoming increasingly clear that attacking Planned Parenthood and access to reproductive health care is a loser — in the courts, in the polls and at the ballot box. Planned Parenthood Advocates of Oregon is focused on protecting more than 60,000 Oregonians who rely on Planned Parenthood health centers for care every year. And we’re ensuring that all of that progress isn’t undone in the 2016 election. Our volunteer leaders in 10 counties, including Jackson, are on the front lines, knocking on doors, getting out the vote and making sure that supporters of women’s health — like Oregon Senate candidate Tonia Moro — are elected up and down the ballot. Meanwhile, we are preventing right-wing politicians from rolling back our basic rights and access to health care. Millions of Americans all across the country are angry, insulted and motivated to action by these attacks on women’s health. As Planned Parenthood turns 100 years strong, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Oregon won’t be silent or give up. We must continue to act strong to fight for the world we want to see — today, tomorrow and for generations to come. — Mary Nolan is the executive director of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Oregon. For more information visit PPAOregon.org.