To the editor:

With the election of President Barack Obama, it is truly a bright day for women’s health and the health and well-being of their families. Besides being pro-choice, President Obama has committed himself to protecting and strengthening women’s health. (Not only in this country but around the world – evidenced by his recent rescinding of the global gag rule).

Under his leadership, we have an opportunity to ensure that women’s health is an integral part of the efforts to fix our health care system and to engage the country in a conversation about the importance of prevention and family planning.

While we know there will be efforts in states across the country to undermine a woman’s right to make personal health decisions, we believe that the American people have clearly spoken: they are ready for a new approach. They are ready to put the divisive politics of the past behind them and ready to move forward with common sense solutions to our pressing national problems.

Planned Parenthood looks forward to working with President Obama on three critical women’s health priorities:

– First, we need to make sure that everyone has access to affordable, quality health care, especially women.

– Second, we need policies that reduce the number of unintended pregnancies and teen pregnancies. We are ready to work with the anti-choice community on this goal.

– Third, we must expand access to affordable family planning and prevention care, both domestically and internationally. Again, we are ready to find common ground with all groups to achieve this end.

Planned Parenthood is first and foremost a health care provider. Each year, we provide approximately 4 million women, men and adolescents with health care and education services at our health centers.

We are in a unique position because we are both a provider and advocate, speaking out for the millions of women we serve to promote and protect their health. We commit ourselves to working with President Obama as he commits himself to improving women’s health.

Phyllis Brewer

Member, Board of Directors

Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida

Fort Myers