On how the Dems bow down to conservative propaganda...

From Planned Parenthood PAC via BreitBart:

This weekend, House Minority Leader John Boehner wrongly claimed that the Medicaid Family Planning State Option, a common sense provision to expand basic health care to millions of women, would cost hundreds of millions of dollars. The option, which became the victim of Boehner's misleading attacks and partisan politics, was dropped from the economic stimulus bill.

"This option rightfully belonged in the economic recovery package," said Kathy Kneer, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California. "The Republican leadership, which demanded its removal, has once again shown just how divisive and out of touch they are with the American public, which overwhelming supports access to family planning services."

The Medicaid Family Planning State Option will ultimately save money in tough economic times. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that the state option would save the federal government $700 million over ten years, freeing up money to go toward other pressing state and national priorities during these tough economic times.

In California, independent evaluations of the current family planning expansions have significant estimated cost savings - approximately $1.5 billion annually in state and federal government savings from costs associated with unintended pregnancy. Allowing a waiver also saves state administrative costs in tough budget times.

The Medicaid Family Planning State Option would allow millions of low income women to obtain basic health care including breast and cervical cancer screenings. It extends safety net health care coverage for millions who are losing their jobs and health insurance in the economic downturn.

"During this tough economic time, expanding access to basic health care is critical for women and families," Kneer said. "Medicaid Family Planning State Option is an essential priority for the health of low-income working women. We expect a clear and public commitment from the administration to secure family planning services for low-income individuals and we urge Congress to act quickly to include the family planning option in the next possible moving vehicle sent to the President."

Thanks, guys. Really appreciate all of your hard work.

PPPAC is encouraging you to call. As well you should.

Bush is still president???

In a giant middle finger to the country as he is about to waltz out of off, President W. Bush and his administration has enacted some rules for healthcare providers via the Department of Health and Human Services. 

Via the Huffington Post:

Very little about the Bush administration could surprise me anymore, but I was completely disheartened when -- despite the written opposition from more than 200,000 Americans, 150 members of Congress, a bipartisan coalition of governors and attorneys general, the American Medical Association, and women's health organizations like Planned Parenthood -- the Department of Health and Human Services issued a last minute regulation that will undermine health care access at nearly 600,000 pharmacies, clinics, and hospitals across the country.

This sort of "take the drapes on your way out" approach is the final chapter of an administration that has prized political ideology over health care for their entire eight years -- and the rule issued yesterday, with little more than 30 days left in office, is the ultimate holiday gift to the extreme right.

Under this new rule, doctors and health care workers of all kinds can deny patients vital health care information and services, without the patient even knowing. No patient is exempt from the reach of this rule: sexual assault victims could be denied information about emergency contraception that could prevent unintended pregnancy, moms hoping to time their pregnancies can be denied contraception at their local pharmacy, young adults hoping to be tested for sexually transmitted infections could be denied treatment by health care employees who oppose premarital sex.

In short, this rule is likely to create total chaos in an already stressed health care system, and for low-income women and families, this rule may spell the end of the few available health care options. Essentially, any patient that utilizes health care at a provider that receives any federal funds will be subject to the luck of the draw in terms of what kinds of reproductive health care they are offered. This might seem far-fetched, until you realize that groups like Pharmacists for Life have campaigned nationally to have pharmacies refuse to provide women birth control prescribed by their physician.

This seems to be what the new rules are saying: that if you are a health care provider and do not believe in something, you are not ethically required to offer it. Birth control and abortion tend to be the big two that people are mentioning, but my question includes questions like PEP or STD treatment... etc. etc. etc.

I thought I was being taught that we don't place our personal judgments on our patients when we enter the healthcare field...

...but apparently a few people skipped class that day.

Planned Parenthood has a petition up to ask Pres-elect Obama to reverse these rules. I signed it -- will you?

GENERAL STUFF: Planned Parenthood Ad?

LOL Found this years ago and I still laugh at it. Don't ask me if it's real, because I don't think I want to know if it's not. I hope it is.



Originally posted on my Myspace blog on 12/8/05

HIV/AIDS: National HIV Testing Day -- June 27th, 2008

It's funny that it took lesbians (over at Juliet and Juliette) to remind me that tomorrow... 40 minutes from now... is National HIV Testing Day!!!

That's right, folks, it is the annual event organized by the National Association of People with AIDS (NAPWA -- main site, event site) where the CDC (information from the CDC -- there are a lot of really great videos on this site) and hundreds of local organizations are encouraging you to get tested for HIV, regardless of your risk. Hell, even if you are suburban housewife with only one sex partner in your life and no history of drug use, I'll bet you have one risk factor...

Unprotected sex.

It doesn't matter who it's with; if it's sex, it's still risky. A lot of people blow off risk as something other people have -- after all, I've been with my husband for years, and we only have sex with each other. Oh yea? When was your last HIV test? When was his last HIV test? Is this a monogamous relationship... are you sure? It's an awful truth of the world, but just because you are monogamous does not mean they are.

Even condoms are not 100%, as there is such a thing as "imperfect use" -- condoms breaking, not being put on properly, etc. etc. etc.

There is no such thing as safe sex, only safer sex. All sex has its risk, as even the best forms of protection cannot safeguard against everything. Herpes and warts, for example, only require skin-to-skin contact for transmission.

And, it's a sad truth, that those are the two most common STD's. It is estimated that upwards of 25-30% of people have genital herpes; most of them have just never shown a symptom.

But I digress.

The point of this blog is to let you know that tomorrow, June 27th, you should get tested. There are a host of options out there to get tested at (listed below), and some of them offer the 20-minute oral swab (there is a slight caveat on this, right now, though), some the 20-minute finger stick, and some of them the more traditional 5-7 day oral swab or venipuncture (blood draw). I have personal and professional relationships with people at each one of these agencies, and I would not be posting any of them unless I was 100% sure that you would be treated with the kind of dignity and respect that you should have when you decide to be tested.

1) STOP AIDS -- 513-421-AIDS (2437)
My former employer and one of the largest testing sites in the city, offering the free 20-minute oral swab OraSure. In the past, though I have not received confirmation on this for this year, they offered all day walk-in testing on National HIV Testing Day. On Fridays, too, they offered walk-in testing from 9a-1p. I'm guessing it will not be much different tomorrow. Regardless, show up at 9a, they are always, always busy, and I've been informed that the entire testing staff will be available to test that day.

2) Cincinnati Health Department
Ambrose Clement/Burnet Ave 513-357-7350
Northside Clinic 513-357-7600
Price Hill Clinic 513-357-2700
Offering the free 20-minute finger stick test. I don't have much information on their program, and I've not heard of anything specific they are doing. But, if you go to the Burnet Avenue location, see if you can get Johnnie or Chuck -- they are both fantastic people and just wonderful, compassionate testers.

3) Northern Kentucky Independent District Health Department (NKIDHD)
Boone County -- 859-363-2060
Campbell County -- 859-431-1704
Grant County -- 859-824-5074
Kenton County/Covington -- 859-431-3345
Kenton County/Ft. Mitchell (main testing site) -- 859-578-7660
Testing process varies based on location, some do venipuncture and some do the 20-minute test. They put out a great press release and are on Cincinnati.com with their schedule. They are offering special times tomorrow, so check it out here.

4) Planned Parenthood
Sites include: Hamilton, Middletown, Auburn Ave, Western Hills, Springdale, and Clermont County -- 800-230-7526
Offers the 7 day venipuncture, but it does charge a nominal fee for an HIV test. Last I heard it was under $20, but I can't be sure. The great thing is that they are everywhere and there is likely one close to you.

5) University Hospital Emergency Department -- 513-584-0720
Though free, they offer the 20-minute venipuncture, but you have to call while their nurse is working and you have to be medically cleared and sign a waiver before you can do a walk-in test. It's a little bit more paperwork, as the program is more designed for patients of the ER.

Other programs I know little about:

• 4CHARIS/SARA IRP -- 513-542-9730 -- Religious organization
• Hamilton City Health Department -- 513-785-7080
• Warren County Health Department -- 513-695-2428

Likely, there is a testing site near you that you should go to.

As for me, well.

I haven't been tested in two years. And tomorrow... I will be getting tested at STOP AIDS bright and early at 9am. Come out, check it out, I'll be there. Even for me, folks, this freaks me out. It's hard, I know, but it's worth your time.