Power to Decide

Power to Decide
Name	Power to Decide
Formation	2004
Type	Nonprofit organization
Headquarters	Washington, D.C.
Region served	United States
Leader title	CEO

Power to Decide Power to Decide is a U.S.-based nonprofit organization focused on reproductive health, contraceptive access, and pregnancy prevention. The organization engages in research, advocacy, education, and program implementation to reduce unintended pregnancies and expand access to reproductive services. It collaborates with a range of public health, civil society, and professional entities to influence policy, practice, and public awareness.

Overview

Power to Decide operates at the intersection of public health, advocacy, and service delivery, aiming to influence policy debates, clinical practice, and community programs. It partners with national organizations such as Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Guttmacher Institute, Kaiser Family Foundation, United Way, and National Association of Community Health Centers while engaging foundations including Ford Foundation, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The organization conducts research with academic institutions like Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and University of California, San Francisco and works with professional societies such as the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Society of Family Planning, and American Public Health Association.

History and Development

Founded in 2004, the organization emerged amid broader national efforts involving groups like March of Dimes, National Partnership for Women & Families, and Association of Reproductive Health Professionals. Early development included collaboration with federal agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Office of Population Affairs, and Health Resources and Services Administration. Power to Decide has been influenced by landmark events and laws including Affordable Care Act, Title X, and debates surrounding the Hyde Amendment. The organization expanded its scope through partnerships with regional networks including Public Health–Seattle & King County, California Department of Public Health, and state-level coalitions in Texas, Florida, New York (state), and California.

Programs and Initiatives

Programs have included public education campaigns, clinical training, and community grants tied to initiatives sponsored by entities like Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Department of Health and Human Services, and private funders such as MacArthur Foundation. Campaigns have employed media partnerships with outlets like The New York Times, Washington Post, NPR, CNN, and The Atlantic to reach broad audiences. The organization’s work interfaces with technology platforms and research tools from Khan Academy, Coursera, and Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine curricula, and has collaborated with local organizations such as Black Women's Health Imperative, SIECUS, and National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice.

Policy Advocacy and Impact

Power to Decide engages in advocacy around legislation, regulatory actions, and public funding, aligning with coalitions that include Center for Reproductive Rights, ACLU, Human Rights Campaign, and NAACP. It has provided analysis and testimony in settings involving the United States Congress, state legislatures, and agencies like the Food and Drug Administration. The organization’s policy work touches on issues influenced by Supreme Court decisions and cases such as Roe v. Wade, Whole Woman's Health v. Hellerstedt, and debates over contraceptive coverage following Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc.. It participates in broader health policy dialogues with think tanks and policy centers including Brookings Institution, Urban Institute, Heritage Foundation, and Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.

Organizational Structure and Funding

The organization’s governance includes a board of directors and executive leadership that engages with philanthropic, governmental, and corporate funders. Major funding streams have included partnerships with private foundations and grants from agencies such as CDC Foundation and Office of Population Affairs, and collaborations with insurers and health systems like Blue Cross Blue Shield Association and Kaiser Permanente. Staffing and programmatic work connect with academic partners including Columbia University, Yale University, University of Michigan, and service providers like FQHCs and community health centers across urban and rural settings in states such as Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Washington (state).

Criticism and Controversies

As with many organizations in reproductive health, Power to Decide has faced critique and controversy from stakeholders including faith-based organizations, conservative advocacy groups, and some state policymakers. Debates have intersected with high-profile advocacy disputes involving groups like Susan B. Anthony List, Family Research Council, and legal challenges tied to federal programs such as Title V and Medicaid. The organization’s positions on contraception and reproductive autonomy have prompted public discourse in media outlets such as Fox News, MSNBC, and New York Post, and have been scrutinized by commentators affiliated with think tanks including American Enterprise Institute and Cato Institute.

Category:Nonprofit organizations based in Washington, D.C.