Happy New Year, Choice Lobbyists!

This is the latest from NARAL Pro-Choice Minnesota's CHoice Lobby Network:

TAKE ACTION NOW!
Ben Nelson’s Stupak-esque amendment was originally tabled by the Senate. However, when Nelson threatened to vote against the healthcare reform bill, his anti-choice amendment was added back into the bill.

In a recent call to action by NARAL Pro-Choice America’s CEO Nancy Keenan, she says, “Right now, both the House and Senate versions of the bill include dangerous and unacceptable restrictions on abortion coverage. If we don't act immediately, women could face significant barriers to accessing abortion care in the new health system.”
Add your name to our national petition to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, and President Obama calling on them to fix the bill before bringing it to a final vote.
Video Feature
CNN’s Anderson Cooper takes a trip to a Planned Parenthood clinic in New York City and explores the facts of abortion access and cost (setting aside politics, for a brief moment).

Wait…WHAT?! (your jaw dropping moment of the week)
Across the country volunteers donate their time to ensure the safety of those visiting clinics which provide abortions. These clinic escorts typically wear bright colored vests so patients can easily identify them as allies amongst the protesters. In Louisville, KY, anti-choice protesters have hit a new level of deceit—they are wearing the same kind of vests as the clinic escorts further confusing and harassing patients.

Cultural Variations in the Abortion Debate
In South Korea, under the country’s Mother and Child Health Law, abortions are only permitted “when the mother’s health is in serious danger, or in cases of rape, incest, or severe hereditary disorders.” Abortions after the first 24 weeks of pregnancy aren’t allowed under any circumstances. However, until lately, abortions performed illegally were rarely prosecuted or publically debated because society considers it a private, family issue. This New York Times article examines the reasoning behind the new emerging public debate on abortion.

Top 10 Wins for Women’s Health in 2009
Yes, we’re all extremely concerned with how healthcare reform is going to turn out and what it will mean for women’s reproductive rights and abortion access. Amongst all of the stress of this debate, we should take time to remember the positive, pro-women’s health events of 2009. RH Reality Check helps us do just that.

Upcoming NARAL Events
ü 37th Roe Anniversary Event! Join NARAL Pro-Choice Minnesota and the Pro-Choice Coalition from 6-8pm on Thursday, January 21st at Azia Restaurant in Minneapolis (Map). For more information, check out NARAL’s blog here.

ü Save the date! Pro-Choice Lobby Day is March 4th at the Capitol including a rally in the rotunda and meeting your legislators. Put it on your calendars now!