Fundraiser reception to discuss reduced health care options

Bryan Howard, president of Planned Parenthood Arizona, will be in Yuma Thursday to speak about a reduction in health care options available to local residents.

“Yuma-area women will have fewer care options in 2013 than even eight months ago thanks to the successful efforts to restrict access to women's health care in the Arizona Legislature in 2012 and earlier,” he told the Yuma Sun recently.

“I will be talking about how health care access has been reduced and how Planned Parenthood efforts in the courts have limited some but not all of the impact. In particular we'll focus on challenges for poor and undocumented women.”

Howard will give his presentation during an annual reception hosted by the Planned Parenthood Advocates of Arizona (PPAA).

“This reception is an opportunity to get together with like-minded neighbors to learn what's really afoot at the Capitol and to join together to make their voices heard,” Howard said.

The reception will be held from 5:3 to 7:30 p.m. at St. Paul's Cultural Center, 645 S. 2nd Ave. Hot and cold appetizers will be served, and a cash-bar featuring wines from Yuma's Main Squeeze will be available.

Tickets are $10 each and include a one-year PPAA membership. Tickets are available online at advocatesaz.org.

Funds raised at the celebration will support Planned Parenthood's lobbying efforts at all levels of government during 2013, including local school boards and the Arizona Legislature. Donations will also support Planned Parenthood's efforts to help elect or re-elect politicians who support the organization's ideals in the future.

Howard encourages people to attend the reception and to get involved with the important issue of health care in Arizona.

“A powerful — but shrinking — group of politicians at the state Capitol are disregarding the health of rural and smaller community residents,” he said. “The goal of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Arizona is to bring specific opportunities to average citizens to educate their families, friends and neighbors in order to prevent future harm and make Yuma healthier.”

For more information about the reception, call 1-602-263-4213.