For Immediate Release:	November 5, 2008
For More Information:	Diane Quest, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, 202-973-4851
Sponsor Organization:	Planned Parenthood Federation of America
Planned Parenthood Maintains Commitment to Protecting Women’s Health and Safety
SOUTH DAKOTANS REJECT SECOND ABORTION BAN IN TWO YEARS Washington, DC — Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) is thankful that for the second time in two years, South Dakotans have voted down a dangerous and unconstitutional abortion ban. Initiated Measure 11 was defeated at the ballot box. If Initiated Measure 11 had passed, it would have been one of the most restrictive and dangerous bans in recent history. “Voters in South Dakota reiterated that they will not stand for ideological attacks on women’s health and safety,” said PPFA President Cecile Richards. “Their second rejection of government intrusion into personal, private health care decisions sends a clear message that the focus should be on commonsense, compassionate solutions that will prevent unintended pregnancy and reduce the need for abortion.” Nowhere in the nation are abortion services harder to access than in South Dakota. Planned Parenthood will continue its commitment to stand by the women we serve by providing affordable, high-quality health care, including family planning services, cancer screenings, sexually transmitted infection testing and treatment, abortion services, and information and education. ### CALIFORNIA VOTERS PROTECT TEENS’ HEALTH AND SAFETY BY REJECTING DANGEROUS PROPOSITION — AGAIN Washington, DC — Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) is pleased that once again California voters put teen health and safety first and rejected Proposition 4. The measure, which would have forced teens to notify their parents before terminating a pregnancy, and which was funded by anti-choice ultraconservatives, was voted down for the third time in four years. “Parents rightfully want to be involved in their teenagers' lives,” said PPFA President Cecile Richards. “Planned Parenthood encourages this open and honest communication and most parents are involved when their teens are faced with an unintended pregnancy. But in the real world, parental notification laws don't work. In some cases they deter teens from seeking health care from licensed providers and in other cases they put teens at risk for abuse at the hands of their parents. No law can mandate family communication, and the priority must be to ensure that teens have access to safe, quality medical care without delay.” Planned Parenthood will continue to work to protect teens’ health and safety by providing and advocating for access to affordable, high-quality health care, including family planning services, sexually transmitted infection testing and treatment, and comprehensive sex education and information so teens can make responsible decisions. Voters in California have made it clear that they are in favor of these commonsense solutions and want to put the health and safety of teens first, above ideology and politics. ### COLORADO VOTERS DEFEAT DANGEROUS AMENDMENT AND PUT WOMEN’S HEALTH AND SAFETY FIRST Washington, DC — Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) stands with voters in Colorado who resoundingly rejected by a three to one margin a ballot initiative that would have eliminated a woman’s ability to make personal, private decisions about her health care. Amendment 48 sought to grant legal rights to a fertilized egg. It could have banned all abortions and could have been used to block stem cell research and in vitro fertilization, among other reproductive health services. It could even have prevented doctors from providing lifesaving care to a woman if the medical treatment needed could harm a fertilized egg, and it could have triggered government investigations into miscarriages. Amendment 48 would have seriously endangered women’s health and family privacy. “This rejection by voters of Amendment 48 sends a clear message: personal, private health care decisions should be made by women, their doctors, and their families, not by politicians,” said PPFA President Cecile Richards. “We need government policies that improve access to health care, not take it away.” Planned Parenthood will continue to work to protect women’s health and safety by providing affordable, high-quality health care, including family planning services, cancer screenings, sexually transmitted infection testing and treatment, abortion services, and information and education. ###