Healthcare in America is on shaky ground. Trump’s bill failed to reach a vote and though the ACA remains in place, no one is certain what will happen with legislation going forward. We’re talking with Planned Parenthood to make sense of health insurance to get the care we need.
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This Week’s Discussion
On this episode we’re joined by Alencia Johnson, Director of Constituency Communications at Planned Parenthood Federation of America and Planned Parenthood Action Fund, and Elizabeth Clark, Director of Health Media at Planned Parenthood Federation of America and the Planned Parenthood Action Fund. We discuss the Affordable Care Act, federal funding, Medicaid, and how it all works together so that people can get the care their need at Planned Parenthood.
Just last week, President Trump quietly signed a bill allowing states to withhold funds to health centers that perform abortions. In practice, this just means that people will have fewer options for preventative care, as the vast majority of Planned Parenthood’s work involves things like cancer screenings, access to contraception, prenatal care—particularly for low-income people who might not otherwise have access to healthcare.
We also discuss the pros and cons of IUDs, getting tested for STIs, the current state of Roe v. Wade given the recent appointment of Neil Gorsuch, and what you can do to make your voice heard.
If you have any questions about your health and the services available at Planned Parenthood, visit PlannedParenthood.org or check with your local health center. If you’d like some impartial analysis on Planned Parenthood and recent legislation, consider reading the Annals of Internal Medicine, The Atlantic, The Guardian, the Washington Post, and NPR, or look at their own fact sheets and reports.
Our Upgrades of the Week
Every week we like to round out the show with the little upgrades we’ve made in our own life. This week we’re purging unessential clutter, waxing our glasses, and getting ready to travel.
Melissa: Melissa made an important investment—she bought a good carry-on bag. In anticipation of upcoming adventures, she’s found a bag from Baggu which should fit under an airplane seat while supplying plenty of room.
Alencia and Elizabeth: Alencia and Liz are both doing a sort of Marie Kondo-style purge and getting rid of all the clutter in their lives. That means ditching unused clothes as well as old college papers filling up filing cabinets.
Andy: Nerdwax helps keep my glasses from slipping down my face. I’ve written about this before, but it’s a tacky wax substance that you rub on the nose bridge of your glasses, the part that makes contact with your nose.
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