FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Ana Sandoval, PPAC Communications 916.446.5247

Republican House Leadership vote hurts millions of women by cutting funds for preventive health care and family planning

Statement by Kathy Kneer, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California, on the passage of the Pence Bill to cut family planning services by defunding Planned Parenthood

"Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California couldn't be more disappointed with the vote taken today by the House Leadership which strips millions of American women of access to basic preventive health care. By voting to prohibit Planned Parenthood from receiving federal funds for any purpose, they are hurting the millions of low-income women who come to us for life saving cancer screenings, contraception, STD preventions and treatment, breast health and other essential health care.

"Ninety-seven percent of the services we provide at California Planned Parenthood health centers are preventive care.

"One in five American women has received care from a Planned Parenthood health center at some time in her life, and last year three million patients came to one of our more than 800 health centers nationwide. Tens of thousands of new patients who are struggling to make ends meet or who have recently lost their jobs or insurance in the economic downturn now rely on Planned Parenthood for their essential health care needs. Women, men and families trust Planned Parenthood to provide them with professional, non-judgmental care.

"In passing this vote, the house has done grave harm to women's health. It is difficult to understand why people who say they are opposed to abortion would do so much to undermine the family planning and contraception that helps prevent the need for it.

“It now falls to Senators from both parties to join together to reject these hurtful and extreme cuts to women's health care, restore common sense, and guarantee that the millions of Americans who count on Planned Parenthood for health care are protected. Ensuring that millions of women can obtain health care from their trusted provider is what Americans want and expect from the United States Senate.”

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Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California (PPAC) is the state public policy office representing California’s eight separately incorporated Planned Parenthood affiliates. Through advocacy and electoral action, PPAC promotes sound public policy in areas of reproductive health care, family planning and comprehensive sex education.