Tell Senators to Stand with Oklahoma Women!

We first told you about two dangerous bills - HB 1409 and HB 1721 - in February. Despite the efforts of our supporters and friendly lawmakers, both bills moved through the house. We expect both bills to be heard on the Senate floor in coming weeks.

 

We want you to tell friendly Oklahoma Senators that you support a woman's right to make her own decision about a pregnancy! These senators are our best chance to defeat these bills in the Senate.

HB 1409 would impose a 72-hour waiting period and require physicians to provide biased information that is not based on science-both of which are intended to shame or coerce a woman into making a decision about her pregnancy.

HB 1721 would ban abortion after 14 weeks in Oklahoma. The reality is that nine in 10 abortions in the U.S. occur in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy (Guttmacher). Abortion after 14 weeks in pregnancy is less common, but in all cases, a woman and her doctor need every medical option available.

Both of these bills are part of a broader effort to restrict or end access to safe, legal abortion in Oklahoma and are particularly cruel for women and families in heartbreaking situations-needing to end a pregnancy after careful consideration, but experiencing lengthy, unnecessary delays in accessing safe care.

Please email Oklahoma lawmakers who support women's health now and tell them their "NO" vote on these two bills is supported by thousands of women in men in Oklahoma who believe that politics should be kept out of personal medical decisions.

Thank you for your continued support.

Your friends at Planned Parenthood of Central Oklahoma 

You’re invited to join us at the Oklahoma Capitol for Women's Health Day and Prevention First Lobby Day!

Planned Parenthood of Central Oklahoma is hosting the 7th annual Women’s Health Day at the Capitol from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Come meet health experts from several organizations, activists and law makers who are working to improve women's access to health care. In an effort to engage lawmakers and give voice to supporters, our sister affiliate Planned Parenthood of the Heartland is also hosting a ‘Prevention First Lobby Seminar’ the same morning. The seminar costs $10 and includes lobby training, a rundown on current legislative issues, a T-shirt and lunch. Those interested must RSVP ahead of time.

Thursday, April 9, 2015
8:30 a.m. - 11 a.m. Prevention First Lobby Seminar
11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Women’s Health Day
Oklahoma State Capitol
2300 North Lincoln Blvd.
Oklahoma City, OK

Over the years we have seen a stigma form over women’s health issues, and it has not done well for our state. Oklahoma is the only state in the U.S. that saw life expectancy for women decline in the two decades and our state is consistently ranked among the bottom 10 states for health outcomes. Despite these poor indicators Oklahoma still has over 100,000 uninsured citizens. So please come out and stand up for women's health!

In the meantime help us gain support for this worthy cause by tweeting or posting #accessforus via social media to highlight the lack of access many Oklahoma women face in seeking quality, affordable health care. Together we can highlight the importance of women’s health in Oklahoma and show our lawmakers that we won’t stand for inaction or political grandstanding while women’s lives are on the line! 

Thank you for your continued support and we hope to see you at the Capitol on April 9^th!

For questions please contact Danielle Williams
danielle.williams@ppcok.org
(405) 528-0221 Ext. 321