You don’t have to look far to find a headline detailing the troubles Alaska is currently facing. Whether it’s the fiscal crisis, public safety or health care, Alaskans are struggling with wanting their families to be safe and their futures to be secure.
One key to achieving this peace-of-mind is being in control of our own lives – and that includes our health care. That is why the latest effort in Washington to defund Planned Parenthood has outraged so many Alaskans. The people I talk to understand that Planned Parenthood is a critical safety net that provides thousands of Alaskans with critical care they may otherwise go without.
In addition to facing too many barriers when it comes to accessing health care, Alaska is dealing with devastatingly high rates of STDs, teen pregnancy, child sexual assault and reported rape cases. Without Planned Parenthood, many Alaskans may be left without the care they need.
However, it isn’t enough to just be angry about this – we must make our voices heard. While U.S. Rep. Don Young and Sen. Dan Sullivan are taking the hard partisan line on this issue, Sen. Lisa Murkowski has indicated she will do the right thing and stand with Alaskans by standing with Planned Parenthood.
I hope Alaskans will join me and make their voices heard, by telling Murkowski we need her to stick with us all the way through this fight. We simply can’t afford for her to turn her back on us now.
Elizabeth Figus
Juneau
