>> SOMEONE GAVE, SOMEONE DONATED, SOMEONE LEFT A LEGACY.

GENERATIONS OF SOMEONE'S HAVE HELPED SHAPE RHODE ISLAND INTO THE PLACE WE CALL HOME.

HOW DO YOU THANK THEM?

BY DONATING YOUR OWN LEGACY.

WE CAN HELP.

PETER: WELCOME TO ANOTHER ADDITION OF "IN ANOTHER OPINION," WHEN OUR -- WHERE OUR DISCUSSIONS ARE FOCUSED ON COMMUNITIES OF COLOR IN RHODE ISLAND.

MY GUEST TODAY IS THE CHIEF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS OFFICER AT PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND.

WELCOME, BRITNEY.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

PETER: THANK YOU FOR HAVING -- THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

I HAVE BEEN WANTING TO HAVE SOMEONE FROM YOUR ORGANIZATION ON THIS SHOW, ESPECIALLY SINCE YOU MOVED DOWN BY POINT STREET TO THE BIGGER BUILDING.

TELL US WHAT'S GOING ON OVER THERE.

>> WELL, I AM HAPPY TO BE HERE AND TO LET YOU KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON.

PETER: WHAT IS NEW WITH PLANNED PARENTHOOD?

>> ONE OF THE THINGS WE ARE MOST EXCITED ABOUT IS THAT WE PROVIDE A FULL RANGE OF SEXUAL REPRODUCTION HEALTHCARE SERVICES NOT ONLY IN PERSON, BUT THROUGH TELEHEALTH VIRTUAL VISITS.

WHAT THAT MEANS IS WE ARE EXPANDING ACCESS TO CARE, AND WE ARE ABLE TO MEET PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE AND STILL PROVIDE THE SAME TRUSTED CARE ON MOBILE PHONES OR COMPUTER SCREENS.

PETER: THAT TIES INTO THE MISSION OF PLANNED PARENTHOOD.

WHAT IS THE REAL MISSION?

-- WHAT IS THE MISSION OF PLANN ED PARENTHOOD?

>> TO PROVIDE HIGH-QUALITY, AFFORDABLE SEXUAL REPRODUCTION AND HEALTH CARE AND ACCESS TO HEALTH SERVICES.

WE OPERATE 15 CENTERS ACROSS CONNECTICUT AND HERE IN PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, AND IN ADDITION TO PROVIDING THAT IN PERSON CARE, WE HAVE THE TELEHEALTH SERVICES I JUST MENTIONED.

WE ARE A TRUSTED PROVIDER OF SEX EDUCATION AND THE NATION'S LARGEST PROVIDER OF SEX EDUCATION, AND WE ALSO PROVIDE ADVOCACY SERVICES TO ADVOCATE FOR HEALTH EQUITY AND TO PROTECT SEXUAL HEALTH AND REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM FOR ALL PEOPLE.

PETER: THIS IS IN THE NEWS EVERY OTHER DAY, IS THE CHALLENGE BY POLITICIANS TO ROE V. WADE, WHICH HAS A BIG IMPACT ON YOUR ORGANIZATION.

MORE IMPORTANTLY, THE ATTACK AGAINST THE HEALTH CARE PORTION OF PLANNED PARENTHOOD IN TERMS OF FUNDING THAT COMES FROM THE GOVERNMENT OR HAS COME FROM THE GOVERNMENT IN THE PAST.

WHERE IS THAT THESE DAYS?

IS PLANNED PARENTHOOD STILL RECEIVING FEDERAL DOLLARS OR HAS THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION STOP THAT TOTALLY?

>> THAT IS A GREAT QUESTION AND I'M GLAD WE ARE TALKING ABOUT IT.

WHEN IT COMES TO OUR BUDGET, THE VAST MAJORITY OF OUR FUNDS, ABOUT 70% OF OUR BUDGET COMES FROM HEALTH SERVICES PROVIDED.

WHAT THAT MEANS IS IF YOU GO TO ONE OF OUR HEALTH CENTERS, JUST LIKE YOUR DOCTOR OR YOUR DENTIST, AND YOU USE YOUR HEALTH CARE INSURANCE TO COVER SERVICES, THE INSURANCE COMPANY REIMBURSES FOR SERVICES PROVIDED.

THAT IS WHERE THE MAJORITY OF OUR INCOME COMES FROM.

THE FUNDS THAT YOU ARE REFERRING COME IN THE FORM OF TITLE X.

TITLE X IS THE NATION'S LARGEST AND OLDEST FAMILY-PLANNING PROGRAM THAT MAKES SERVICES LIKE BIRTH CONTROL AND CRITICAL CANCER SCREENINGS AND OTHER PLANNING SERVICES AVAILABLE TO PEOPLE AT LOW COST OR NO COST.

UNDER THE TRUMP-PENTZ ADMINISTRATION, THEY UNFORTUNATELY PUT POLITICS OVER PATIENTS AND DECIDED TO INSTITUTE A "DOMESTIC GAP" RULE AND PROHIBIT ANYONE PARTICIPATING IN TITLE X FROM TALKING ABOUT ABORTION OR REFERRING PATIENTS TO A PLACE WHERE THEY COULD RECEIVE THIS CARE OR GIVING THEM INFORMATION ON ALL OF THEIR OPTIONS.

AS A RESULT, PLANNED PARENTHOOD WAS KICKED OUT OF THE TITLE X PROGRAM AFTER BEING PART OF IT SINCE ITS INCEPTION.

THIS DEVASTATED OUR ALREADY FRAGILE HEALTH SYSTEM AND IMPACTED COMMUNITIES OF COLOR, PARTICULARLY BLACK, LATINO AND INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES, THE LGBT COMMUNITY, AND PEOPLE WITH LOWER INCOMES.

THANKFULLY, WE HAVE A NEW ADMINISTRATION, BIDEN-HARRIS THAT IS FRIENDLY AND SUPPORTIVE OF SEXUAL REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH AND RIGHTS AND THEY ARE REVISITING THE TITLE X PROGRAM.

THEY ARE LOOKING AT NOT ONLY MODERNIZING IT, BUT PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR PLANNED PARENTHOOD AND OTHER PROVIDERS FORCED OUT OF THE PROGRAM TO APPLY TO BE REINSTATED IN THE PROGRAM.

THE PROCESS IS LONG AND HARD, AND THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THAT WE WOULD BE READMITTED OR THAT WE WOULD RECEIVE THE SAME AMOUNT OF FUNDS.

HOWEVER, WE ARE EXTREMELY GRATEFUL FOR THE ADMINISTRATION'S WORK IN THIS AREA, AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO FIGHT TO MAKE SURE OUR PATIENTS ARE ABLE TO RECEIVE ALL OF THE HEALTH CARE THEY DESERVE.

PETER: WHAT ARE SOME OF THE STATISTICS WE CAN TALK A BIT ABOUT AND SHARE WITH VIEWERS IN THIS CRITICAL CONVERSATION ABOUT WHAT PLANNED PARENTHOOD DOES.

CAN YOU GIVE US AN IDEA ABOUT THE PERCENT OF MONEY FOCUSED ON GENERAL HEALTH CARE VERSUS ABORTION VERSUS ANOTHER PART OF HEALTH CARE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I WOULD START BY SAYING WE DO CONSIDER ABORTION CARE TO BE HEALTH CARE.

PETER: RIGHT.

IT IS.

>> IT IS ESSENTIAL TO MAKING SURE PEOPLE ARE ABLE TO LIVE THEIR BEST LIVES AND THEIR HEALTHIEST LIVES.

WHEN IT COMES TO PLANNED PARENTHOOD, WE OFFER A FULL RANGE OF REPRODUCTIVE CARE.

IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND, WE ARE ONE OF ONLY THREE HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS TO PROVIDE THIS ESSENTIAL SERVICE.

SOME OTHER SERVICES INCLUDE STI TESTING AND TREATMENT.

THAT IS THE BIGGEST SERVICE WE PROVIDE.

WE ALSO PROVIDE SERVICES LIKE ANNUAL CANCER SCREENINGS, WELL WOMEN EXAMS, LGBTQ CARE SUCH AS HORMONE AFFIRMING THERAPY AND SOME LIMITED PRIMARY CARE.

SO, PEOPLE CAN COME TO US AND FEEL CONFIDENT THAT THEY ARE GETTING EXPERT CARE, THAT THEY ARE RECEIVING NONJUDGMENTAL CARE, AND THAT WE WILL DO THE BEST TO MEET THE NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITIES.

PETER: IT SOUNDS TO ME THAT THE AMOUNT OF RESOURCES THAT MIGHT BE APPLIED TO JUST ABORTION WOULD BE MINOR COMPARED TO THE BUDGET FOR HEALTH CARE.

>> IT IS A SMALLER PORTION OF WHAT WE DO.

THE MAJORITY OF OUR HEALTH SERVICES ARE SOME OF THE OTHER SEXUAL REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH SERVICES I MENTIONED.

WE ARE VERY PROUD TO PROVIDE ABORTION CARE AND WE DO TRY TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR HEALTH SERVICES ARE RESPONSIVE TO WHAT THE COMMUNITY NEEDS.

PETER: AND THERE IS A NEED.

OBVIOUSLY, THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO DO NOT HAVE RELY ON PLANNED PARENTHOOD.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

PLANNED PARENTHOOD IS REALLY FOR EVERYONE.

WE WANT PEOPLE TO FEEL THAT NO MATTER WHO THEY ARE, WHERE THEY COME FROM, OR WHETHER THEY HAVE INSURANCE, THEY CAN COME TO US FOR COMPASSIONATE CARE.

WHEN WE LOOK AT OUR PATIENT BASE, IT DOES VARY, BUT IN RHODE ISLAND, OVER HALF OF OUR PATIENTS IDENTIFY AS PEOPLE OF COLOR, THE LARGEST GROUPS BEING BLACK AND LATINO.

WHEN IT COMES TO AGE DEMOGRAPHICS, WE DO TEND TO SERVE A YOUNGER DEMOGRAPHIC, PEOPLE IN GENERATION C OR MILLENNIALS -- Z OR MILLENNIALS.

TEENAGERS, AROUND AGE 15 TO MID 20'S IS GEN Z, AND MILLENNIALS ARE MID 20'S INTO YOUR 30'S.

THE MAJORITY OF OUR PATIENTS ARE COCENTRATED WITHIN BOTH OF THOSE POPULATIONS.

PETER: WHAT ABOUT SENIOR CITIZENS?

>> WE SEE FEWER SENIOR CITIZENS, BUT WE DO WELCOME PEOPLE OF ALL AGES TO COME TO US FOR CARE.

HEALTH CARE DOESN'T HAVE AN AGE LIMIT.

WE DO SEE PEOPLE WHO ARE OLDER AND WE ENCOURAGE EVEN MORE TO COME TO US.

PETER: VERY GOOD.

THE ORGANIZATION OVER THE YEARS HAS TAKEN SO MANY BAD HITS FOR WHAT IT DOES, AND FOR THE LIFE OF ME, I NEVER QUITE UNDERSTOOD IT, BUT MAYBE I'M OPEN MINDED ENOUGH TO UNDERSTAND WHAT HEALTH CARE MEANS.

IT MEANS A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS, FROM A HANGNAIL, I SUPPOSE, TO BIRTH.

>> EXACTLY.

PETER: THE SUPPORT PEOPLE DO NOT GIVE TO PLANNED PARENTHOOD ESCAPES ME, IT REALLY DOES.

WHAT KIND OF RELATIONSHIP DOES PLANNED PARENTHOOD HAVE WITH OTHER MEDICAL FACILITIES LIKE CARE NEW ENGLAND AND A FEW OTHER OF THE -- IS THERE A CONNECTION?

DO YOU HAVE RELATIONSHIPS AT ALL WITH THEM?

>> WE DO WORK WITH OTHER PUBLIC HEALTH PROVIDERS.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE A STABLE PART OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH INFRASTRUCTURE.

A LOT OF TIMES -- A GREAT EXAMPLE HAPPENED DURING COVID.

WE WERE ABLE IN BOTH OF OUR STATES TO BE ABLE TO TAKE ON SOME OF THE BURDEN FROM THE PUBLIC HEALTH CARE SYSTEM BY CONTINUALLY PROVIDING SEXUAL REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE AND SCREENINGS FOR COVID.

IF YOU HAVE AN UPPER RESPIRATORY INFECTION, IF YOU HAVE A COLD, TO TRY TO RELIEVE SOME OF THE CONGESTION GOING ON IN THE PUBLIC HEALTH SYSTEM.

WE DO TEND TO HAVE GOOD RELATIONSHIPS IN CONNECTICUT AND RHODE ISLAND WITH HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS AND WE WORK WITH MENTAL AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SPECIALISTS IN BOTH STATES TO MAKE SURE WE ARE PROVIDING A LINKAGE OF CARE FOR OUR PATIENTS SO THAT WHATEVER THEY COME FOR, EVEN IF WE ARE NOT ABLE TO PROVIDE THAT SERVICE IN OUR OFFICE, AT THE VERY LEAST, WE ARE ABLE TO MAKE SURE THEY RECEIVE THAT CONNECTION TO RECEIVE CARE FROM ANOTHER PROVIDER.

PETER: DURING COVID, WERE YOU GIVING SHOTS?

2 WE WERE -- >> WE WERE NOT.

WE WANTED TO FOCUS ON CONTINUING TO PROVIDE SEXUAL REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE, UNDERSTANDING THAT DURING COVID, AND URGENTLY, A LOT OF OTHER HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS MOVED AWAY FROM PROVIDING SERVICES.

HEALTH CENTERS THAT WERE PROVIDING STI TREATMENTS AND SCREENINGS STOP PROVIDING THEM ALTOGETHER.

WHAT ENDED UP HAPPENING IS THAT THERE HAD ALREADY BEEN AN INCREASE IN STI RATES NOT JUST IN CONNECTICUT AND RHODE ISLAND, BUT THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY.

THAT ONLY CONTRIBUTED TO THIS SILENT PANDEMIC AND PEOPLE NOT HAVING RESOURCES OR HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS TO HELP THEM TAKE CARE OF THIS ESSENTIAL PART OF THEIR WELL-BEING.

WE WANTED TO BE ABLE TO CONTINUE TO SERVE OUR PATIENTS WITH THE ESSENTIAL CARE THEY KNOW AND LOVE US FOR.

PETER: HOW LARGE IS THE STAFF IN THE PROVIDENCE OFFICE?

WHAT IS THE MAKEUP OF THAT STUFF?

DOCTORS, NURSES?

WHAT DO WE HAVE?

>> I DON'T HAVE THE EXACT NUMBER.

I WILL SAY WE DO HAVE HEALTH CENTER STAFF AT ALL LEVELS, CLINIC ASSISTANCE, ADVANCE CARE ASSISTANCE, DOCTORS WHO ARE TRAINED IN REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE.

WE HAVE A DIVERSE STAFF AND I WOULD SAY THAT BEING THE PROVIDENCE HEALTH CENTER IS THE ONE HEALTH CENTER WE DO HAVE IN RHODE ISLAND RIGHT NOW, IT IS A LARGER STAFF.

PETER: AT ONE TIME YOU DID HAVE A BRANCH OR OFFICE UP NEAR BROWN UNIVERSITY.

>> RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE JUST THE ONE HEALTH CENTER IN RHODE ISLAND.

ONE OF THE WAYS WE ARE ENSURING PATIENTS HAVE ACCESS NO MATTER WHERE THEY LIVE IS THROUGH TELEHEALTH.

I HAVE HEARD STORIES OF PATIENTS GOING OUT TO THEIR CAR ON THEIR LUNCH BREAK, LOGGING ON, HAVING A VIRTUAL VISIT AND GETTING BIRTH CONTROL RENEWED OR BEING ABLE TO TAKE A BREAK FROM WORK OR GO INTO A DIFFERENT ROOM AT HOME AND LOG ON TO THEIR COMPUTER AND BE ABLE TO TALK THROUGH A CERTAIN CONCERN THEY ARE HAVING.

EVEN IF THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO COME INTO THE OFFICE IN PROVIDENCE, WE ARE STILL WORKING ON MAKING SURE THEY CAN GET CARE WHEREVER THEY ARE.

PETER: DID THAT START PRIOR TO COVID?

>> THIS IS SOMETHING I'M REALLY PROUD OF.

WE ARE ABLE TO SEE THE IMMENSE NEED FOR CARE DURING COVID.

BUT UNDERSTAND THAT WE HAD TO BE DILIGENT IN PROTECTING OUR COMMUNITIES AND STAFF.

WE WERE ABLE TO LAUNCH A TELEHEALTH PROGRAM IN UNDER SEVEN DAYS.

THAT WAS A REALLY TREMENDOUS EFFORT PUT ON BY OUR STAFF BY OUR ORGANIZATION, AND ONE WE HAVE RECEIVED RAVE REVIEWS ABOUT, SO ONE WE ARE EXTREMELY EXCITED TO CONTINUE PROVIDING.

IN RHODE ISLAND, WE ARE ADVOCATING FOR THE EMERGENCY ORDERS THAT RELAXED AROUND TELEHEALTH TO REMAIN PERMANENT.

THAT IS ONE OF THE WAYS THAT IF PEOPLE WANT TO GET INVOLVED WITH MAKING SURE EVERYONE HAS ACCESS TO CARE, THEY CAN FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA OR LINEUP OR EMAILS AND WE WILL GIVE PEOPLE INFORMATION ON HOW TO ADVOCATE TO MAKE SURE THAT TELEHEALTH CAN BE PERMANENTLY EXPANDED OR ANY OF THE OTHER PLETHORA OF ISSUES WE WORK FOR AND FIGHT FOR ON A DAILY BASIS.

PETER: SPEAKING OF COVID AND TALKING ABOUT BIRTH CONTROL, AND BIRTH IN GENERAL, WHERE IS THE CDC NOW ON VACCINATING WOMEN WHO ARE PREGNANT?

>> THE AMERICAN OFFICE OF GYNECOLOGISTS AND OBSTETRICIANS SAY THERE IS NO REASON NOT TO GET THE VACCINE.

WE TRY TO GIVE PATIENTS ALL THE INFORMATION THEY COULD NEED TO MAKE THEIR OWN PERSONAL DECISIONS ABOUT THIS VACCINE.

WE DO THINK VACCINATION IS AN IMPORTANT WAY FOR US TO BE ABLE TO COLLECTIVELY AS A COUNTRY AND AS A WORLD BE ABLE TO LEAVE BEHIND THE COVID PANDEMIC.

HOWEVER, IT IS A REALLY UP TO AN INDIVIDUAL IF THEY WANT TO MAKE THAT DECISION ABOUT RECEIVING THE VACCINE OR NOT.

PETER: IF SOMEONE HAS NOT BEEN VACCINATED BUT WANTED TO RECEIVE HEALTH CARE FROM PLANNED PARENTHOOD, WOULD THEY STILL BE ABLE TO RECEIVE THAT, OR IF THEY ARE NOT VACCINATED, CAN THEY NOT COME INTO THE BUILDING?

>> WE WELCOME PEOPLE WHETHER THEY HAVE BEEN VACCINATED OR DECIDED AGAINST THE VACCINE.

ALL OF OUR HEALTH CARE CENTERS ARE STILL REQUIRING THAT PEOPLE WHERE MASKS.

WE CONTINUE TO PRACTICE PUBLIC HEALTH SAFETY AND GUIDELINES, MAKING SURE WE HAVE SOCIAL DISTANCING, THAT THERE ARE SANITATION MEASURES BEING FOLLOWED, AND OF COURSE, THAT PEOPLE ARE WEARING THEIR MASKS.

PETER: WHAT IS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PLANNED PARENTHOOD AND THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH IN RHODE ISLAND?

>> IT IS A GOOD, SUPPORTIVE ONE.

AND THAT'S BECAUSE THEY SEE PLANNED PARENTHOOD AS PART OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY INFRASTRUCTURE IN RHODE ISLAND, JUST AS IT IS.

THEY SEE THAT THE HEALTH SERVICES WE PROVIDE ARE ESSENTIAL AND THAT WE ARE SERVING A PORTION OF THE POPULATION THAT OFTEN DOESN'T HAVE ANOTHER PLACE TO TURN FOR CARE.

PETER: I KNOW THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION WAS SUPPORTIVE.

IS THE CURRENT GOVERNOR SUPPORTIVE?

>> WE DEFINITELY STILL HAVE CHAMPIONS HERE IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND.

WE ARE PROUD TO WORK WITH THE ADMINISTRATION AND TO BE ABLE TO WORK WITH THE STATE HOUSE ON A NUMBER OF PRIORITIES.

IN FACT, ONE OF THE PRIORITIES I AM MOST PROUD OF IS THE EQUALITY IN ABORTION COVERAGE ACT.

I SEE IT AS THE NEXT STEP FROM TH 2019 RPA, THE REPRODUCTIVE PRIVACY ACT, WHICH CODIFIED ABORTION AT THE STATE LEVEL IN RHODE ISLAND SO THAT NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS TO ROE V. WADE AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL, WE KNOW THAT ABORTION WILL BE LEGAL HERE IN RHODE ISLAND.

NOW, THE NEXT STEP IS ENSURING THERE IS ACTUAL ACCESS TO ABORTION CARE, BECAUSE A RIGHT DOESN'T NECESSARILY MEAN PEOPLE HAVE ACCESS TO THAT CARE.

UNDER THIS PARTICULAR PIECE OF LEGISLATION, IT WOULD ENSURE THAT PEOPLE WHO ARE COVERED BY MEDICAID AND PEOPLE COVERED BY THE STATES HEALTH INSURANCE ARE ABLE TO RECEIVE COVERAGE FOR ABORTION CARE IF THEY CHOOSE TO HAVE IT.

RIGHT NOW, THERE ARE HARMFUL AND DISCRIMINATORY BANDS WRITTEN INTO STATE LAW IN RHODE ISLAND THAT ACTUALLY DENY OVER 300,000 RHODE ISLANDERS FROM BEING ABLE TO USE THEIR HEALTH CARE INSURANCE TO COVER ABORTION CARE.

AND WE KNOW THE PEOPLE MOST IMPACTED BY THAT ARE PEOPLE OF COLOR, IN PARTICULAR BLACK AND LATINO PEOPLE, PEOPLE WITH LOWER INCOMES, AND YOUNG PEOPLE.

SO THIS PIECE OF LEGISLATION WOULD INFUSE OUR LAWS WITH EQUITY AND ENSURE THAT PEOPLE CAN GET THE HEALTH CARE THEY DESERVE NO MATTER WHAT.

PETER: ARE WE TALKING PEOPLE THAT ARE PRETTY MUCH ON MEDICARE AND MEDICAID?

>> YES, THAT IS THE LARGEST PORTION OF THAT NUMBER.

ALSO, STATE EMPLOYEES RECEIVE INSURANCE FROM THE STATE.

PETER: THE STATES HEALTH INSURANCE BANDS THEM -- VANS -- BANS THEM?

I DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT.

>> I DON'T EITHER, BECAUSE AS WE MENTIONED BEFORE, ABORTION IS PART OF A COMPREHENSIVE SPAN OF HEALTH CARE, SO IT IS ABOUT POLITICS.

IT'S ABOUT HONING IN ON ONE HEALTH CARE SERVICE AND TRYING TO DENY PEOPLE THE RIGHT TO MAKE THEIR OWN DECISIONS.

PETER: WELL, HOPEFULLY THAT GETS CHANGED.

>> EXACTLY.

PETER: WHO IS SPONSORING IT?

>> LYANA KASAR AND BRIDGET BELGRE.

THEY INTRODUCED IT IN SESSION LAST YEAR BUT THAT SESSION WAS INTERRUPTED BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC.

WE ARE CONTINUING TO WORK IN COALITION WITH SEVERAL PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS AND THE RHODE ISLAND COALITION FOR REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM, AND WORKING WITH THEM AND OUR CHAMPIONS AT THE STATEHOUSE TO REALLY MOVE THIS FORWARD SO THAT RHODE ISLAND CAN TAKE THIS NEXT STEP FOR REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM.

PETER: I WILL TRY TO FOLLOW THAT BILL.

>> WE WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO FOLLOW IT, AND FOR ANYONE WHO IS WATCHING WHO WOULD LIKE TO GET INVOLVED, IT IS SOMETHING WE ARE WORKING HARD TO SUPPORT.

IF YOU FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA AT PPVRI, THAT STANDS FOR PLANNED PARENTHOOD VOTES RHODE ISLAND, WE WILL HAVE UPDATES OFTEN NOT ONLY ON THE STATUS OF LEGISLATION BUT ON WAYS TO GET INVOLVED OR VOLUNTEER.

THERE WILL BE SOME POWERFUL OPPORTUNITIES THAT WE WOULD LOVE PEOPLE TO COME OUT AND GET INVOLVED WITH.

PETER: FOR VIEWERS WHO DON'T KNOW, WHAT IS THE NEW ADDRESS OF THE BUILDING?

>> I DON'T KNOW IT OFFHAND, I'M SORRY.

PETER: WE KNOW IT IS ON BROAD STREET ACROSS THE STREET FROM CROSSROADS AND CLASSICAL HIGH SCHOOL AT THAT INTERSECTION.

I HAVE NEVER SEEN A NUMBER ON THAT BUILDING EITHER.

EVEN BEFORE WHEN IT WAS THE BOY SCOUTS.

THAT'S A GOOD LANDMARK.

IT'S THE OLD BUILDING ON BROAD STREET ACROSS FROM CROSSROADS.

>> THANK YOU FOR REMEMBERING THAT.

PETER: NO PROBLEM.

I KNOW SOME PEOPLE MIGHT STILL GO DOWN 2 POINT ST LOOKING FOR -- TO POINT STREET LOOKING FOR THE BUILDING, AND THERE IS ANOTHER MEDICAL FACILITY THERE, WHICH MIGHT BE CONFUSING TO PEOPLE.

>> AND WE HAVE COMMUNITY EVENTS AND WE LIKE PEOPLE TO BE ABLE TO WORK WITH YOUNG PEOPLE AND OTHER YOUTH SERVING PROFESSIONALS.

PETER: I TAPED A SHOW EARLIER WITH A YOUNG LADY FROM RHODE ISLAND COMMUNITY IN JUSTICE.

AND THAT REMINDS ME TO ASK YOU, IS PLANNED PARENTHOOD -- DO WE STILL HAVE THE YOUTH PROGRAM WITH LEADERS IN HIGH SCHOOLS?

>> YES, THAT IS ONE OF MY FAVORITES AND I AM SO GLAD YOU BROUGHT IT UP.

IT STANDS FOR STUDENTS TEACHING ABOUT RESPONSIBLE SEXUALITY, STARS.

IT IS A EDUCATION PROGRAM AND IT FOCUSES ON PARTNERING WITH YOUNG PEOPLE AND MEETING WITH THEM REGULARLY IN ORDER TO TEACH THEM ABOUT SEXUALITY, BIRTH CONTROL, REPRODUCTIVE ANATOMY, AND TO CONNECT THEM WITH CARET OUR HEALTH CENTERS.

AND WHAT WE STRIVE TO DO IS REALLY MAKE SURE THAT THESE YOUNG PEOPLE FEEL EDUCATED AND EMPOWERED TO BE ABLE TO SERVE AMBASSADORS AMONGST THEIR FELLOW STUDENTS AND FRIENDS.

WE KNOW THERE IS A LOT OF INACCURATE INFORMATION OUT THERE ABOUT SEX AND REPRODUCTION.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY HAVE ACCURATE AND AGE-APPROPRIATE INFORMATION SO THEY CAN MAKE DECISIONS ABOUT THEIR SEXUALITY AND THEIR BODIES.

PETER: I'M GLAD TO HEAR THAT PROGRAM IS STILL GOING ON.

IT SHOULD PROBABLY EVEN BE STARTED IN JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL RATHER THAN HIGH SCHOOL THESE DAYS BECAUSE YOUNG PEOPLE ARE SEXUALLY ACTIVE AT A MUCH EARLIER AGE THAN THEY EVER HAVE BEEN BEEF OR.

>> I AGREE WITH YOU.

ONE OF THE THINGS WE REALLY FOCUS ON IS MAKING SURE THEY ARE MEDICALLY ACCURATE, AND SIEVE, AFFIRMING, AND AGE-APPROPRIATE.

SEXUALITY IS A NORMAL PART OF LIFE.

IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE ARE KEEPING -- TEACHING PEOPLE FROM A YOUNG AGE HOW TO CARE FOR THEIR SEXUAL HEALTH.

MAYBE WE WILL LOOK INTO THAT.

PETER: I HOPE SO.

I HOPE THE EDUCATIONAL DEPARTMENTS ARE WILLING TO CONSIDER IT.

YOU KNOW, HALF AN HOUR GOES BY REALLY FAST.

WE HAVE RUN OUT OF TIME.

I TRULY WANT TO THANK TODAY'S GUEST, BRITNEY FONTANELLE, FOR COMING ON THE SHOW AND SHARING WITH US WHAT PLANNED PARENTHOOD IS DOING THESE DAYS.

I ALSO WANT TO THANK THE VIEWERS FOR TUNING INTO ANOTHER SEGMENT OF "IN ANOTHER OPINION," WITH SPECIAL THANKS TO PBS FOR MAKING THIS PROGRAM POSSIBLE.

I AM YOUR HOST, PETER WELLS.

GIVE US YOUR OPINION ON FACEBOOK.

ABOVE ALL, HAVE A GREAT DAY.

[CLOSED CAPTIONING HAS BEEN PROVIDED BY CARDI'S FURNITURE AND MATTRESSES] [CAPTIONING PERFORMED BY THE NATIONAL CAPTIONING INSTITUTE, WHICH IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ITS CAPTION CONTENT AND ACCURACY.

VISIT NCICAP.ORG] ♪ >> SOMEONE GAVE, SOMEONE DONATED, SOMEONE LEFT A LEGACY.

GENERATIONS OF RHODE ISLANDERS