Zoe Kusintiz

The Political is Personal: The Impact of the 20-Week Abortion Ban

By Zoe Kusintiz | Nov 10, 2015 | Comments Off on The Political is Personal: The Impact of the 20-Week Abortion Ban

My first job out of college was as a clinical assistant at an abortion clinic. Although not a topic I drop into casual conversation, it is something about which I am fiercely proud. “The personal is political” is a hallmark of the reproductive justice movement – and one that remains unwaveringly true. But, the reality I discovered while working at the clinic is that the political is personal.

Antibiotic-Resistant Gonorrhea, Congenital Syphilis, Budget Cuts—Oh My!

By Zoe Kusintiz | Apr 28, 2015 | Comments Off on Antibiotic-Resistant Gonorrhea, Congenital Syphilis, Budget Cuts—Oh My!

On April 23rd, I attended a Senate briefing regarding the desired budget increase for the CDC’s Division of STD Prevention (DSTDP). The presentation was entitled, “The Public Health Crisis of STDs: Are We Ready?” Spoiler alert: We are really not ready; hence the need for $54.7 million increase to the department’s budget.

Contraceptive Coverage Under the ACA: Clinics, Claims, and Counterpoints

By Zoe Kusintiz | Apr 16, 2015 | Comments Off on Contraceptive Coverage Under the ACA: Clinics, Claims, and Counterpoints

You might think that when it came to fighting with insurance companies, our biggest point of contention would be coverage for abortion services. But no, the daily debates surrounded an even more basic kind of care: contraceptives.