I stand.

Over 120 supporters of family planning came out Aug. 4 to attend the Ravalli County Commissioners meeting, where commissioners decided the fate of the county’s Title X facility.  The county’s only family planning clinic would have been closed, putting county health nurses out of a job and ending health services for nearly 550 patients.

Tension was palpable in the room where nearly 100 people were gathered, spilling out into the adjacent hallway.  Sweat beaded on nearly every brow as commissioners listened to nearly two hours of testimony from both sides of the issue.

In the end the final vote stood 3-2 to accept the Title X grant to fund the clinic, but was quickly followed by a motion by Commissioner Greg Chilcott to seek funding from other sources next year that would not require the clinic to offer confidential care to minors.

Once passed, a collective sigh of relief came from a majority of the crowd, most getting up and leaving the room before commissioners could finish the business of setting in motion plans to find alternate funding for the next fiscal year.

It was close, but whether it was an inch or a mile, we still won. Men, women and teens of Ravalli County will have one more year of guaranteed access to birth control, emergency contraception, cancer screenings, breast exams and STI tests.  

Here are some more news links:

KPAX | Ravalli Co. accepts funding, for now|  http://bit.ly/n4uVNV 

Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter also! @JesStugelmayer

PLUS CHECK OUT THE EVENTS PAGE! MISSOULA OUTFEST IS THIS WEEKEND!

Last week, Ravalli County commissioners stated they may refuse federal funding for the county’s family planning clinic, which would effectively put the clinic out of business.  

According to an article in the Ravalli Republic, commissioners have until Aug. 8 to decide or the program will be closed.  Commissioner Matt Kanenwisher said he does not agree that unintended pregnancy is a public health issue, nor does he agree with the fact that the family planning clinic gives out emergency contraception (aka Plan B, the morning after pill.)  Moreover, Kanenwisher said he doesn’t agree that minors should receive services without their parents being contacted first.

In retort, I can say for a fact that unintended pregnancy is a public health issue.  If a young woman cannot afford the costs of a baby, she will apply for and most likely be placed on the WIC (Woman, Infants and Children) program and receive Medicaid, therefore costing taxpayers more money in the long-run than the few packs of birth control.

Secondly, I know many friends whom I drove personally to the Planned Parenthood clinic in Missoula in high school and college to receive over-the-counter emergency contraception, who would not have done so if they had to inform their parents. 

Closing this clinic will be the start of a wave of unintended consequences.  So how can you take a stand?  Come to the Ravalli County Commissioner’s meeting Thursday, Aug. 4 at 2:00 p.m. in Hamilton and show your support for the family planning clinic and for reproductive rights.

(Post will be edited to include place of the meeting.)

To show support in favor of the county’s family planning clinic, you can also reach the commissioners at commission@rc.mt.gov.  

Don’t forget you can follow me on Twitter. @JesStugelmayer

Edit: Here is a great op-ed piece about the matter from Montana Women Vote’s Kate Duggan.

The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced Monday in an article on CNN.com that they would officially be adopting the Institute of Medicine’s recommendation to require that insurance plans cover important preventative services of birth control and voluntary sterilization.

“The Affordable Care Act helps stop health problems before they start,” said HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius.  “These historic guidelines are based on science and existing literature and will help ensure women get the preventive health benefits they need.”

The findings would go into effect August 2012, and would also include screenings and counseling for human papillomavirus (HPV), HIV and domestic violence. A full list is available on the HHS website.

Though not all agree with this decision, it is a huge step in reproductive rights for men, women and teens across the nation.  Huge thanks go out to the hundreds of thousands who signed online petitions to HHS through Planned Parenthood and similar organizations to make this happen.

You can thank HHS here.

Follow me on Twitter @JesStugelmayer.