Tim Pawlenty. Photo: Facebook

Reproductive rights groups chastised Gov. Tim Pawlenty Monday for refusing federal money for comprehensive sex education in exchange for abstinence-education funds that will cost the state hundreds of thousands of dollars. Advocates say Pawlenty’s decision to opt for the more expensive — and controversial — program arises from his presidential ambitions and not the best interests of the state.

Pawlenty had until Monday to apply for the federal Personal Responsibility Education Program, which provides $55 million in funding for comprehensive sex education programming in the states. Minnesota’s share would have been $850,000. But, Pawlenty turned down that money and applied Minnesota for the Title V State Abstinence Education Grant Program instead. The Title V program will require Minnesota to put up $379,307 in state funds in order to get $505,743 in federal funding.

Reproductive health advocates say the decision will set Minnesota back, not only financially but also in terms of sex education.

“We are outraged Gov. Tim Pawlenty is willing to continue to play games with the lives of Minnesota youth,” Linnea House, executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice Minnesota told the Minnesota Independent on Monday. “During a time of tremendous budgetary challenges for our state, the governor has once again shown that he will put political games ahead of sound policy recommendations.”

She said Pawlenty is denying the state almost $1 million to support evidence-based sex education in exchange for “programs that have not proven successful in the past.”

In 2007, state officials found the federal funding for abstinence to be lacking and quietly dropped the program. The state opted out  after federal guidelines mandated that the state teach that “sex outside of marriage was psychologically and physically harmful” and restricted any conversation about contraceptives.

House said that Pawlenty continues to “ignore the rising HIV and Chlamydia rates affecting young Minnesotans.” She added, “In effect, Pawlenty is turning his back on our youth, and his decision will have a profound impact upon the future of Minnesota youth.”

The Minnesota Organization on Adolescent Pregnancy, Prevention and Parenting (MOAPPP) suggested that Pawlenty’s decision was based on politics.

“There’s been a concern in the field that governors across the country would use these funding opportunities to rack up political points instead of putting young people’s futures first,” said Brigid Riley, the group’s executive director. “It appears that that’s what is going on in Minnesota. Why else would you turn down almost a million dollars for youth programs that require no match, but take funding for failed programs that require a 75 percent match?”

Planned Parenthood president and CEO Sarah Stroez agreed: “It defies logic that the governor of a state in a budget crisis would turn away nearly a million dollars in federal funding for services that are profoundly needed across Minnesota.”

A MOAPP statement released Monday said, “More than 30 years of peer-reviewed research supports the fact that when young people learn the importance of waiting to have sex AND about preventing pregnancy and disease, they wait longer before having sex, have fewer partners, and use condoms and contraception more effectively when they finally become sexually active.”

“A lot fewer Minnesota teens will get this message as a result of this decision,” the group added.

Mark Dayton. MnIndy file photo

DFL gubernatorial candidate Mark Dayton got the endorsement of Planned Parenthood of Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota Action Fund on Wednesday, sparking a harsh response from local religious right outfits — including the Minnesota Family Council, which says a Dayton win “will mean abortion and condoms any and everywhere.”

“As our U.S. Senator, Mark Dayton demonstrated his dedication to Minnesota women and families,” said Sarah Stoesz, president of PPMNS in a statement. “He has a long history of fighting for what’s right: access to affordable and high quality health care, including family planning, and protecting the health and safety of women. He has always been a true champion for women’s health.” (Next Thursday, Dayton will be speaking at a PPMNS event with Sen. Al Franken and his wife Frannie.)

Tom Prichard, president of the Family Council wrote, “I presume that means taxpayer funding of abortion on demand and a condom for every teenager. And of course millions of taxpayer dollars going into PP’s coffers each year.”

Meanwhile, Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life, a group that backs GOP candidate Tom Emmer, said Dayton is too wishy-washy on the issue of abortion.

“Mark Dayton needs to clear away all of the confusion surrounding his abortion stance,” said MCCL Executive Director Scott Fischbach. “Minnesotans want the candidates for governor to be clear and direct about where they stand on the issues, and Dayton and his spokespersons have issued muddled messages on abortion.”

The group says that Dayton supports a ban on partial birth abortion and supports parental notification for minors, but also supports the Freedom of Choice Act. It believes Dayton can’t support the first two without opposing FOCA.

“Has Dayton flip-flopped on his absolute opposition to parental notification, which is central to Planned Parenthood’s abortion advocacy? And does he suddenly regret his votes against the partial-birth abortion ban?” Fischbach asked. “If so, why would Planned Parenthood endorse a candidate who disagrees with its own agenda? His campaign appears to be in chaos, at least over the issue of protecting human life from abortion.”

While MFC and MCCL try to make hay out of the PPMNS endorsement, PPMNS points out that “65 percent of women in battleground states like Minnesota view Planned Parenthood positively, a rating that puts Planned Parenthood just behind Boys and Girls Club of America, and well ahead of other women’s advocacy groups, and both political parties.”

“Women will play a pivotal role in this election and so will the Planned Parenthood Action Fund,” Stoesz said.

Capitol Hill. Photo: WDCpix

Rep. Betty McCollum weighed in on the passage of health care reform on Monday, as did GOP gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer and DFL congressional candidate Dr. Maureen Reed. Planned Parenthood of Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota praised the passage of the bill, but reserved criticism for the White House over an executive order on abortion restrictions.

Rep. Betty McCollum:

“Tonight Democrats had courage to stand up for the real needs of America’s families. The real winners tonight are patients and taxpayers because their health care will become more affordable and accessible.”

Republican candidate for governor, Rep. Tom Emmer:

“Last night, President Obama, Speaker Pelosi, and the Democrats in Washington made painfully clear to the American people they are not interested in listening to us. They rejected real market-based health care reform and they are congratulating themselves for passing more than a trillion dollars in new spending, half a trillion in new taxes, unconstitutional intrusions on personal and economic freedom, and unprecedented government funding of abortions. I have and will continue to fight for health care freedom for all Minnesotans and against this unconstitutional government takeover of health care.”

Candidate for Congress in the 6th Congressional district, Dr. Maureen Reed:

“Today, we applaud the courageous action the United States House of Representatives took by passing the health care bill, which is a historic step toward improving health care access in the United States. As we celebrate this important accomplishment, we must be cognizant that there is a long road ahead until we complete comprehensive health care reform.Keeping the historic improvements in access and coverage in mind, this bill falls far short in the crucial areas of payment reform and lowering costs. Currently we pay for our health care incorrectly. We pay for individual services at the back end of care instead of paying at the front end for prevention, coordination, and overall best care. Only when we address this core problem will we realize the savings we need to complete health care reform.”

Planned Parenthood of Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota president Sarah Stoesz:

“Sunday was a truly historic day for the American people who have long demanded affordable, quality health care coverage.

“For more than a year, Planned Parenthood has worked tirelessly for a health care reform bill that would fix our broken health care system, strengthen women’s health, and achieve quality, affordable health care for all Americans. Monumental progress was made toward achieving these goals with the passage of historic health care reform legislation by the U.S. House of Representatives, despite a symbolic gesture, in the form of an Executive Order, to anti-choice Congressman Bart Stupak (D-MI), which has diverted attention from the central goal of health care reform — controlling costs and extending coverage.

“As a result of this historic expansion of health care coverage to more than 30 million Americans, the doctors, nurses, and other health care professionals who work for Planned Parenthood health centers will be providing care to many more women, men, and families who will be seeking primary and preventive care.

“Planned Parenthood is also extremely pleased that members of the House listened to the millions of women and men who expressed their strong opposition to the Stupak abortion ban. Stopping the Stupak ban was a priority for women across the country who rejected the notion that they would not be able to even use their own money to obtain private insurance coverage for abortion. It was a tough fight, but we salute Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D- CA) and members of the House Pro-Choice Caucus, and all others who stood up for women’s health and women’s rights.

Earlier: Minnesotans react to passage of health care reform

The study found that 44 percent of women surveyed are reducing or delaying childbearing due to the economy, and for low income women, that number increases to 53 percent.

Sixty-four percent of women agreed with the statement, “With the economy the way it is, I can’t afford to have a baby right now.” That number jumped to 77 percent for low-income women.

But while women are choosing to delay pregnancy, cost factors are causing some to take risks with birth control.

Among women who are using the birth control pill, 18 percent report inconsistent use because of costs. Some skip pills to stretch out prescriptions, while others delay getting a prescription filled or skipping a month of their prescription. Women employing these techniques because of costs increases to 25 percent among low income women.

One in four women say they have a harder time paying for birth control than in the past and that number is one in three for low income women.

“This basic health care is essential, particularly during difficult economic times, to give women the tools they need to protect and support their families,” said Kathi Di Nicola of Planned Parenthood of Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota (PPMNS).

Di Nicola says that PPMNS health services are accessible to Minnesota women regardless of ability to pay. She also said that rural women face greater hardships in accessing birth control.

“For many rural women, access to health care is limited at best, with more than half of Minnesota’s rural counties designated as health professional shortage areas due to an inadequate number of primary care providers,” she said.

That means for Minnesota’s rural women who want to delay having children because of the poor economy, access — both financially and geographically — can be a major obstacle to getting birth control services.

[See the Minnesota Independent's previous article, "Report: Many rural women in Minnesota lack access to basic health care"]

“Community health providers like Planned Parenthood serve as a critical entry point into the health care system for tens of thousands of Minnesotans. For many women, the only doctor or nurse they see is the one they visit at a health center like Planned Parenthood,” said Di Nicola.

The study’s authors say that the financial barriers to accessing reproductive health care could put women at risk.

“As a result [of the recession], some women appear to be taking chances that could put themselves or their families at risk,” the report says. “We found evidence of women putting off a visit for either regular gynecological care or birth control, and sometimes not using birth control and using methods inconsistently—all in an effort to save money. Women who use these short-term money-saving strategies are at risk for long-term negative consequences, including unintended pregnancy.”

Photo: Dobak, Flickr

Women living in rural Minnesota face poor health outcomes according to a report released by Planned Parenthood of Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota (PPMNS) on Wednesday. A lack of health insurance and clinics, along with factors like poverty, geographic isolation and even Minnesota’s extreme winters all impact the ability of rural women to access health care. The organization says that as Congress debates health care reform, the needs of rural women must be addressed.

“The data gathered by experts on the state and national level show what [Planned Parenthood] knows firsthand — that rural women are more likely to live in poverty, more likely to be uninsured or underinsured, and more likely to have limited health care resources available than are their urban counterparts,” said Sarah Stoesz, president of PPMNS.

In Minnesota, one in four women live in non-metropolitan areas, a rate higher than states that are traditionally seen as rural, such as Alabama, Texas and Utah. Forty percent of Minnesotans live in areas where there is no access to primary health clinics.

Getting to a health care clinic 100 miles away in the dead of winter can be a challenge in Minnesota. “Minnesota’s severe weather, coupled with limited public transportation options and rural roads in disrepair, can make accessing health care nearly impossible for rural residents,” the report said.

While Planned Parenthood serves low-income patients — statewide, 50 percent of patients are living in poverty — among clinics in greater Minnesota, 63 percent are below the poverty line. At the Planned Parent clinic in Thief River Falls, 75 percent of patients were living below the poverty line and at Willmar clinic that number was 61 percent.

Only 3 percent of Minnesotans accessing care at Planned Parenthood’s rural clinics could afford the care they received and half had no health insurance. In Moorhead, 54 percent of patients lacked health insurance; among Duluth residents, 53 percent were uninsured, and in St. Cloud, 49 percent had no health insurance.

Due to these factors, rural women in Minnesota are 30 percent more likely to be diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer than those living in urban and suburban areas. Forty-three of Minnesota’s counties have higher rates of teen pregnancy than the state average and all but two are in greater Minnesota. While rates of gonorrhea infections among women remained stable in urban and suburban areas, rural Minnesota was the only place where state officials saw in increase in cases.

Rural women also have higher rates of obesity, mental illness and suicide, nicotine addiction and substance abuse.

“Geography and economic status should not determine a woman’s health or her fate,” said Stoesz. “The demand for health care is urgent and the value of prevention, the cornerstone of Planned Parenthood services, is self-evident.”

Stoesz is urging Congress to include rural women’s needs, particularly those around reproductive health, as it debates health care reform. The group identifies three priorities to improve health for rural women: Access to affordable health care services for all women, including comprehensive reproductive health care, regardless of income; coverage for basic, preventive health care services that specifically impact women; and protections for trusted safety net providers on whom women depend for their care, particularly given the shortage of primary care providers in rural communities.

“The benefits of preventive care outweigh the costs from a public health perspective and a fiscal perspective,” Kathi Di Nicola, director of communications for PPMNS, told the Minnesota Independent. “For every dollar invested in preventive reproductive health care, over $5 is saved in the subsequent cost of unintended pregnancy.”

More than 90 percent of PPMNS’ patients in greater Minnesota are women, and they access the organizations services for a variety of reasons including reproductive health services and general health services such as diabetes screening and cholesterol checks.

While they haven’t necessarily seen an increase in patients during the recession, Di Nicola says they have seen “an uptick in patients saying they’ve just lost their jobs and insurance and are returning to us for care.”

In a press release accompanying the report, Stoesz urged local and national leaders not to overlook the health needs of rural women as the debate surrounding health reform intensifies.

“Improving the health status of rural women will require health systems that adequately consider and respond to the unique needs of rural women. As the nation discusses various models of health care reform, it is essential that any emerging proposals comprehensively address the complex needs faced by rural Minnesotans,” Stoesz wrote.

U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum:

The Minnesota Supreme Court has left no doubt that Al Franken won the 2008 race for the U.S. Senate and should immediately be sworn-in as Minnesota’s newest Senator. I am very pleased to welcome Senator-elect Franken to the Minnesota congressional delegation and I look forward to working with him on important issues, like health care reform and creating new jobs to get our economy back on track.

Tony Sutton, Chairman of the Republican Party of Minnesota:

Todays ruling wrongly disenfranchised thousands of Minnesotans who deserve to have their votes counted. Alongside Senator Coleman, the Republican Party of Minnesota has fought to make sure every vote counts and all voters are treated fairly and uniformly. As we move forward, our deeply flawed election system must be dramatically improved to ensure our state’s elections are fair, accurate and reliable.

Sarah Stoesz, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota:

Today’s ruling restores full and fair representation to the citizens of the state of Minnesota. Health care reform, probably the most important legislation of our generation, is being debated in Congress and Minnesotans deserve to have two United States Senators representing their interests in Washington.

Linda Slattengren, President of the Minnesota Nurses Association:

Minnesota’s highest court has affirmed the peoples voice, the election judges, and a lower court in Al Frankens right to be seated as our state’s second U.S. Senator. Let’s get him to work on the people’s business of fixing our broken health care system through federal reform and RN staffing legislation, and protecting workers’ rights through the Employee Free Choice and RESPECT Acts.

Joe Solmonese, Human Rights Campaign President:

Senator-elect Franken has been a long time supporter and strong advocate for fairness and equality for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. His leadership in the United States Senate will help to ensure that all people in Minnesota, and throughout the country, are treated equally. We were honored to endorse Senator-elect Franken’s
candidacy last March and we look forward to working with him in the U.S. Senate to promote the basic tenant of our democracy that all Americans have full equality under the law.

U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar:

I congratulate Al Franken on a hard-earned and long-awaited election victory. I welcome him as my new Senate colleague from Minnesota.

I respect Norm Coleman for what I’m sure was a very difficult decision. He had the right to pursue a legal appeal, but he chose to do the right thing for Minnesota. Norm was my Senate colleague for two years. Although on opposite sides of the aisle, we often worked together on issues affecting Minnesota, in particular securing quick federal support for rebuilding the 35W Bridge. Norm is a dedicated public servant. As a Senator, he took to heart his duty to represent and serve the people of Minnesota.

Ray Waldron, President of the Minnesota AFL-CIO:

After a number of people asked Senator Franken to concede in November, he stood his ground and said, “I don’t think so.” This is what we expect for a senator in the State of Minnesota who, in the Paul Wellstone mode, went against the tide and declared it was not over. We are thankful for his strong and steady convictions, and we look forward to working with our new United States Senator.