The following was submitted by Our Revolution of San Juan County.

An estimated one in five American women has relied on Planned Parenthood for care in her lifetime.

Linda McCarthy is the executive director of the Mt. Baker Planned Parenthood in Bellingham. It is Whatcom, Skagit and San Juan Counties based and is sanctioned by Planned Parenthood Federation of America, which has 56 unique, locally governed affiliates nationwide operating more than 600 health centers, which reflect the diverse needs of their communities. Mt Baker’s clinic also operates the Friday Harbor Health Center on San Juan Island. According to McCarthy, in 2016 alone about 6,000 people used the Bellingham clinic’s services. These services include cancer screening, contraception and testing for sexually transmitted diseases. Nationally, Planned Parenthood served more than 2.5 million patients last year.

McCarthy will be in Eastsound on Friday, Sept. 22 in the fire hall at 6:30 p.m. to present an update on Planned Parenthood nationally, statewide and locally. She will also answer questions from the community. All are invited and there is no charge.

This event is the sixth in a series of health care public presentations organized by Our Revolution – San Juan County, an affiliate of the national Our Revolution organizing and education movement which germinated out of the Bernie Sanders for President campaign in 2016. Our Revolution’s goals are to revitalize American democracy, empower progressive leaders and elevate the political consciousness.

Recent and ongoing political controversies over the role of Planned Parenthood within the scope of our country’s health care system have again placed “defunding” of this health service non-profit on the agenda, nationwide surveys continue to show strong support for Planned Parenthood’s efforts.

Twenty U.S. polls show opposition to Congressional efforts to limit patient access to Planned Parenthood services. As well, state and local attempts to restrict Planned Parenthood services have run into opposition from those states’ citizens, according to a dozen key state polls. The issue of abortion is fundemental to defunding attempts by Congress, though the landmark Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision has a 70 percent approval, according to Pew, Quinnipiac and Bloomberg polls. It is one of the most well-researched and resolved public attitude issues.

According to McCarthy, 2016 alone about 6,000 people used the Bellingham clinic’s services. These services include cancer screening, contraception and testing for sexually transmitted diseases.

“Anyone can come to our offices, it doesn’t matter where they come from,” McCarthy noted.

For more information, contact Brad Brown at 360-298-2840.