September 2026
Join PPHP and PPHPAF for a month packed with events and actions. There will be special guest collaborations, important actions, and community events you do not want to miss!
Event Opportunities
Double the Action
PPHP and NYLCV Civic Engagement Hike
Sunday, September 13, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Cold Spring, NY
Come join PPHP and the New York League of Conservation Voters for their first ever Civic Engagement Hike. On Sunday, August 9th, the group will meet up in Cold Spring and hike the Catfish Loop Trail together. There will be multiple built-in snack and water breaks where folks will sit and have brief convos about ways that you and your community can stay civically engaged.
Come together to enjoy the beautiful nature right here within the community, while also having a space to talk about activism and the issues people care about. This is a safe space to explore the outdoors, have some great conversations, and make some friends that have similar passions as you!
This hike is open to all levels. Find more information about the hike and sign up here!
PPHP Care at Planned Parenthood Webinar Series: Session 5
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs): Signs, Symptoms, Stigma
Tuesday, September 15, 1:00 - 2:15 p.m.
Zoom link to come
Learn the basics of STI testing and treatment including what tests are available, what to expect during an appointment, and why regular testing matters. We'll also dig into how stigma and misinformation can keep people from getting care, and how policies and funding decisions shape access to testing and treatment.
Destigmatizing Abortion During Reproductive Oppression
Monday, September 21, 6:00 - 6:45 p.m.
Abortion is a common health care procedure; one in four women in the United States have had an abortion. But it can be incredibly difficult to talk about due to the stigma around it, despite the widespread need for this critical health care service.
Attacks on reproductive health worsen abortion stigma and reproductive freedom while spurring some people to speak in support of abortion more openly and boldly.
In this training, we'll cover how stigma affects access to care, ways to discuss abortion that push against stigma, and how abortion is currently being discussed in our social discourse.
We hope to see you on September 21!
Letter Writing to Restore Care
Thursday, September 24, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Smithtown, NY
50 years of Hyde, 50 years of harm: September 30, 2026 marks 50 years of the Hyde Amendment blocking people with Medicaid from using their insurance to cover abortion care. Every person — no matter where they live, their income, or insurance coverage — deserves the freedom to make their own health care decisions.
Additionally, attacks on immigrant rights are attacks on reproductive rights. The threat of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement at health centers and the denial of health care coverage for immigrants is forcing people to skip birth control refills, delay prenatal care, avoid STI testing, and wait for time-sensitive abortion care.
Let's tell our members of Congress to support the Equal Access to Abortion Coverage in Health Insurance (EACH Act), the Health Equity and Access under the Law (HEAL) Act, and the Protecting Sensitive Locations Act.
We hope to see you!
Ongoing Opportunities
Tell Governor Hochul to Sign These Legislative Wins
On June 5th, the New York State legislature ended the 2026 session. In that time, we saw the passage of 3 pieces of legislation to further protect New Yorkers and their reproductive freedom.
The New York Health Information Privacy Act (A.10357/S.9269): Provides consumers with control of the collection, processing, and storing of their personal electronic health data and prohibits the sale of this data.
The Anti-shackling Bill (A.1670/S.2667): Strengthens and extends protections for pregnant and postpartum incarcerated individuals, prohibits unnecessary use of force, upholds privacy and dignity during pregnancy-related medical care, and improves access to loved ones' support.
Protecting Access to Medication Abortion (A. 9217/S.8544): Ensures state law would not prevent the dispensing of mifepristone due to changes in the FDA's conditions of use.
These bills now await the signature of Governor Kathy Hochul, and we need your help! Please send a message to Governor Hochul asking her to sign these 3 important bills before the end of the year. Click the link below to take action and use the prefilled message. Thank you for your continued support and advocacy!
Make a Plan to Vote!
Election Day is coming up for the New York general election. Voting is an important part of civic engagement because communities that have high rates of voting often have better health outcomes. There are multiple ways to vote, but what's most important is that you make a plan to ensure your voice is heard. Share with Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic how you'll be voting this year!
Some voting reminders: The General Election is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Early Voting will take place on Saturday, October 24 to Sunday, November 1. The deadline to register before the election is Saturday, October 24. Visit elections.ny.gov to check your voter registration status, and check out PPHP's hub for Voting and Civic Engagement Resources.
Read The Youth Voice Newsletter and Share Your Story
Every Planned Parenthood supporter and patient advocate has a story to tell as to why they support access to sexual and reproductive health care. Stories humanize the work to show Planned Parenthood's commitment to the health and wellness of the people and communities served through health care services, education programs, and fearless advocacy. With sexual and reproductive health care under constant attack, it is essential that to share as many stories as possible to raise awareness and engage more people in the movement.
PPHP is especially interested in hearing from young people, and with your permission, selected stories may be featured in PPHP's new youth newsletter, The Youth Voice, to help inspire and inform others across the community.
Click the link to share your story with PPHP. Want to talk to a staff member before submitting? Email advocacy@pphp.org.
Community Outreach Volunteer Event Interest Sign-Up
As the summer heats up, PPHP is looking to build up participation and excitement for upcoming activities. PPHP runs tabling events at public rallies and high-traffic areas, crowd canvassing at festivals and marches, and door-to-door Healthy Neighborhood Canvassing to inform people of the services provided and to combat misinformation. Follow this link for a full description of event types and to indicate what types of events you are interested in attending!
Let PPHP know how you want to get involved!
