Who’s covering sexual and reproductive health politics and legislation in Massachusetts? Check out some of the latest appearances of PPAF’s issues in the news.

Women's health was on the ballot this year, in Massachusetts and across the nation, and voters spoke loudly and clearly by electing women's health champions President Obama and Elizabeth Warren. Coverage included:

• Planned Parenthood, AFL-CIO, Others Celebrate Elizabeth Warren's Victory Over Scott Brown by Robert Rizzuto for The Springfield Republican
• Women, Big Democratic Turnout Key Warren Win by Paul Tuthill for Northeast Public Radio

Women's access to health care became a focal point for the Senate and Presidential races. The Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund educated voters on why Elizabeth Warren and President Obama are the champions of women's health that Massachusetts needs. Coverage included:

• How Women Managed Historic Victories on Election Day 2012 by Allison Yarrow for the Daily Beast
• In 2012 Campaign, Women's Health Plays a Role Like Never Before by Sarah Kliff for the Washington Post
• Complexity of Women's Rights Issues in Election Provokes Strong Reactions Across Campus, Country by Emily Bartlett for the Tufts Daily

The Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund of Massachusetts supported Elizabeth Warren as she debated Scott Brown in Lowell on October 1. Check out the photos from the "Women are Watching" visibility event outside the Lowell Debate.

After the Republican National Convention, the Massachusetts Republican Party was set to vote on whether to adopt the national GOP platform – which would make abortion and some forms of contraception illegal – as their own in September. Although they tabled the vote until after the election, the Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund took Senator Brown to task from remaining on the sidelines yet again.

• "Local GOP State Committee members debate adopting national Republican platform" by Shira Schoenberg for the Springfield Republican
• "Massachusetts GOP Weighs Embracing Anti-Gay, Anti-Abortion National Party Platform" by Amanda Terkel for the Huffington Post
• "In Worcester tonight, state GOP to tackle platform: Anti-abortion language could reveal divisions" by John Monahan for the Worcester Telegram & Gazette

Offensive comments by Representative Todd Akin sparked a national conversation about rape, pregnancy, and the Republican Party platform. Senator Scott Brown wrote a letter to GOP leadership encouraging them to acknowledge "pro-choice" Republicans in the party platform. The Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund called on him to make his words count by publicly supporting a "pro-women's health" platform authored by Republicans for Planned Parenthood. However, Brown said "it's up to others now" to continue the fight for women's health. Coverage included:

• "Just How Nuts the Akin Rape Remark Was" by Carey Goldberg for WBUR (NPR Boston)
• "Warren-Brown arm-wrestle over women's issues" by John Monahan for the Worcester Telegram & Gazette
• "Scott Brown won't take abortion fight to GOP convention" by Noah Bierman for the Boston Globe

 In August 2012, Presidential candidate and former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney chose Representative Paul Ryan as his running mate. PPAF President Dianne Luby wrote a letter to the Springfield Republican to highlight why the Romney/Ryan ticket is "troubling for women."

On April 9, 2012, The Planned Parenthood Action Fund endorsed Elizabeth Warren for U.S. Senate in Massachusetts, after working in collaboration with the Advocacy Fund. Read our press release for more information. State and national coverage of the endorsement included:

• "Planned Parenthood endorses Elizabeth Warren" by Milton Valencia for the Boston Globe
• "Elizabeth Warren Nabs Planned Parenthood Endorsement In Massachusetts Senate Race" by Leigh Owens for the Huffington Post
• "Elizabeth Warren picks up endorsement of Planned Parenthood in U.S. Senate race" by Robert Rizzuto for the Springfield Republican

Expand below for news from before the 2012 elections.

On March 1^st, the U.S. Senate voted down the Blunt amendment, which would have allowed any employer to deny coverage of any health care service that goes against their religious beliefs or moral conviction – that could mean birth control, HIV treatment, or any essential health care. We are thankful for the result but disappointed that Senator Scott Brown voted to restrict health care access. Coverage of the vote and a protest of Brown’s position in Dracut, MA included:

• “Sen. Brown’s proposal for birth control exemption” by John Manahan for the Worcester Telegram
• “Sen. Brown grilled over contraception stance during campaign stop in Dracut” by Robert Rizzuto for the Springfield Republican
• “Senate Kills G.O.P. Bill opposing Contraception Policy” by Robert Pear for the New York Times

The Obama administration’s decision on February 9^th affirmed that all women should have access to affordable contraception, no matter where they work. GOP and Catholic leadership were still not satisfied, despite most Americans’ support for birth control coverage. Some coverage of the fight for birth control:

• “Catholics support White House contraception mandate” by David Gibson for the Religion News Service 
• “Cardinal O’Malley blasts contraception mandate” by Travis Andersen for the Boston Globe
• "GOP vows further battle on birth control" by Anne Flaherty for the Boston Globe

In February 2012, the Susan G. Komen Foundation decided to end future funding for life-saving cancer screenings and breast health education work at Planned Parenthood due to mounting pressure from anti-women's health groups. Backlash from supporters of women's health caused them to reverse their decision within only a few days. News coverage in Massachusetts and across the country was extensive and included:

• "Is Komen just giving in to pressure?" op/ed by Dianne Williamson of the Worcester Telegram & Gazette
• "Local reaction to Komen decision to restore funding to Planned Parenthood" by Deborah Kotz for the Boston Globe

Even as we recognize the 39th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court's landmark decision in Roe v Wade, the GOP's opposition not only to abortion access but also to contraception continues to grow. Read about the "Assault on reproductive rights" in an op/ed by Ellen Goodman for the Boston Globe.

On Nov 28, 2011, PPAF addressed presidential candidate and former MA Governor Mitt Romney’s changing position on women’s health at a press conference hosted by the Massachusetts Democratic Party. News coverage included a segment reported by Christine Lee for WWLP: “Dems release Mitt Romney attack ad.”

In August 2011, we celebrated the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ decision to mandate health insurance coverage of contraception without co-pays. News coverage included:

• “Birth control coverage rules welcome” op/ed by Dianne Williamson of the Worcester Telegram & Gazette
• “Obama administration orders mandatory birth control coverage” reported by Julie Loncich for NECN

In Spring 2011, Planned Parenthood supporters rallied against Congressional efforts to defund Planned Parenthood and successfully petitioned Senator Scott Brown to vote against the measure. News coverage included:

• “Uproar on Common over family planning aid cuts” by Marie Szaniszlo for the Boston Herald
• “Brown being Brown” op/ed by Joan Vennocchi, Boston Globe columnist
• “Kerry, Brown vote against Planned Parenthood funding ban” by Theo Emery for the Boston Globe