#Stormans Inc. v. Wiesman

[empiricalscotus]

Clear Polarization in Second Level Supreme Court Decision Making

A very important look at how SCOTUS justice polarization is made clear through their decision within the shadow docket

Over the past five Supreme Court Terms the justices have issued 157 separate opinions from Court orders. These are cases that are not orally argued and do not receive full merits consideration. We do not necessarily know all the justices votes in these cases – only the ones the justices made public through signing onto separate opinions. Of these 157 opinions, only two include at least one…

[plannedparenthoodaccess]

Letter from PPGNHI CEO

Annual Report 2016: PPGNHI

» Download Annual Report (PDF)

No question, 2016 was a year for the history books. While the election results did not bring us the outcome we expected, I am so incredibly proud of the work our staff has done to ensure our patients, students, families and communities get the services and education they need. I continue to believe that as we navigate these challenging waters together, we’ll get through this and emerge stronger than ever. Which is why I am pleased to present you with a look at our continued momentum and strength in Planned Parenthood of the Great Northwest and the Hawaiian Islands’ 2016 Report to Our Community.

It is important to pause and recognize the truly dedicated work of Planned Parenthood’s health care providers, educators, staff, activists, supporters, and donors. Thank you for everything you do to make this important work possible. No matter what.

In 2016, our Clinical Services team launched pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and primary care services at our Seattle, Eastside-Bellevue, Federal Way, Lynnwood and Boise health centers. Services include treatment for high blood pressure, low thyroid, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes and asthma.

In July, we held our first ever Teen Council Summit with 150 Teen Council peer educators, 70 Teen Council facilitators, alumni and support staff representing 35 Teen Council organizations in 13 states. The summit was presented by PPGNHI’s Peer Education Institute and Planned Parenthood Generation Action. Following the summit, one of our Teen Council members, Tasha Elizarde, shared her story with MTV News on the limited access to sex ed in her community in Juneau.

Planned Parenthood Votes Northwest and Hawaii (PPVNH) had its biggest, busiest year of organizing to date. Staff worked tirelessly and engaged with more than 6,000 volunteers. PPVNH also lobbied hard in all four states during the 2016 legislative session.

Lastly, our legal advocacy was running at full steam. In Idaho, we challenged two laws banning the use of telemedicine for medication abortion and succeeded in securing a settlement that eliminates the ban. In Alaska, our legal challenge to a parental notification law succeeded, and we filed a lawsuit that challenges outdated Alaska regulations preventing Planned Parenthood from providing needed second trimester abortions. Finally, we prevailed in the Stormans Inc. v. Wiesman case in Washington — a decision that requires pharmacists to dispense birth control, emergency contraception, and all FDA approved medications to patients without discrimination.

Planned Parenthood celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2016, and in a way it seems fitting that this milestone would be marked by both amazing progress and painful setbacks. Our opposition has set its sights on Planned Parenthood, health care and basic human rights, but I am here to tell you we aren’t going anywhere. The fight will be a long one, but together we are 100 Years Strong and we will never stop. No matter what.

- Christine Charbonneau, PPGNHI CEO

[thereligionofcontraceptives-blog]

Topic Overview

Disclaimer: This tumblr’s goal is in no way trying to prove or disprove the legitimacy of any one religious belief nor does it strive to explain the big capital T truth of religion. There is no intention to disrespect any form of religion and this tumblr page pulls some of its information from peer reviewed journal articles to investigating the effects religion may have on one’s reproductive health.

In my SOC 438x (the culture and politics of reproduction) course we had to create an online capstone research project on the reproductive topic of our choosing.  Our project must utilize the “tumblr.com” website to create a webpage for our topic showcasing all that we have learned during our research. Originally, I had difficulty coming up with a topic that not only was interesting but also coming up with a topic that I could feel passionate about. Several of my other classmates’ projects seemed to all be connected to them on somewhat of a personal level and I just knew that for my project I wanted to research something that fascinates me. Fast forward through all the sleepless nights spent thinking of a topic and I decided to consider investigating the effects religion may have on one’s reproductive health.

For my final online capstone research project, the topic I choose to investigate was the effects religion may have on one’s reproductive health. More specifically considering religious attitudes towards human sexuality and more importantly the conversation of contraceptives. This Tumblr page first will introduce the audience to what contraceptives are, how contraceptives work, the types of contraceptives are there, and why it’s important to have a conversation about contraception. I believe it is important for the audience to have an understanding on one of the main focus of this Tumblr page. 

Next I go into religions’ attitudes towards contraception, which although similar across the board there are exceptions. Protestantism, for example, believes that the use of contraception is only acceptable for married women while on the other side of the spectrum Hinduism accepts all methods of contraception (Hakim, Seidman, Kubba, Kishen, & Carlo, 2016). I want to be able to show a variety of religious beliefs and their thoughts on contraceptives along with sexuality as well as it can also have effect on an individual level. Religion is stitched into several cultures around the world and contributes to an individual’s moral beliefs and life choices. 

Lastly this Tumblr page looks at religious attitudes towards reproductive health policy such as those in the affordable care act and how it benefits religion in some cases. We also look at the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) and its role in cases like Hobby Lobby which ruled that individuals do not lose their religious freedom when they open a family business. Also, importantly mentioned on this web page is the Stormans Inc v. John Wiesman which brings up the important question where is the line drawn between religious freedom and necessary health care? 

Although I acknowledge that this topic will mainly focus on those who follow a religion, there is still the possibility that religions’ attitudes along with their actions can also disturb those who do not follow a religion. In the case of a provider of an emergency contraception not willing to carry the product due to their morals, religious, or personal reason can have a direct effect on customers needing the product that do not share the same morals, religious, or personal reason (Mackin & Clark, 2011). This type of scenario brings about more questions on whether pharmacies or even a pharmacist refusal to carry or fill for an emergency contraception is fair. Is this situation, nothing more than just going to a different pharmacist or is the issue more complex as the health and well being of a patient should be a top priority?

Religion can have an impact on one's individual life, whether it is a direct one like attending church or inspiring works of art. Cultures are interlinked with forms of religion and teachings are passed on from generation to generation. Although I personally have not identified with any specific religion, growing up in a Latino culture where religion plays a huge part, one can observe the influence it has. This is the reason I chose this topic because throughout my sociology college career path I have always found an interest at how religion influences certain aspect of our life and gray the area of the topic is.