Planned Parenthood Advocates of Oregon is the statewide political voice for women’s health care and for Planned Parenthood’s 12 health centers serving communities from Ashland to Bend to Milwaukie. PPAO defends the Planned Parenthood mission by advocating for public policy that will enhance and protect women’s health; by building support and accountability among our elected officials in Oregon; and by engaging and motivating the public.
At Planned Parenthood Advocates of Oregon, we know that women’s health and economic well-being go hand in hand. More than a third of female voters have struggled to afford prescription birth control at some point in their lives and, as a result, used birth control inconsistently. Women make up nearly two-thirds of minimum-wage workers, the vast majority of whom receive no paid sick days. For every dollar men earned in 2012, Oregon women earned 79 cents – and black and Hispanic women earned even less on average.
That’s why we’re proud to be part of the Fair Shot for All Coalition, which helps level the playing field for women and working families. The Affordable Care Act’s birth control benefit is already saving women across the country a whopping $1.4 billion a year, but we still have a long way to go. The ability to plan, prevent and space pregnancies is directly linked to benefits to women, men, children and society, including more educational and economic opportunities, healthier babies, more stable families and a reduced taxpayer burden.
PPAO at the Fair Shot 2016 Legislative Agenda launch!