PLANNED PARENTHOOD FEDERATION OF AMERICA STATEMENT IN RESPONSE TO NEW HHS REGULATION IMPACTING WOMEN’S HEALTH

Planned Parenthood Federation of America President Cecile Richards:

“Planned Parenthood continues to be concerned that the Bush administration’s proposed regulation poses a serious threat to women’s health care by limiting the rights of patients to receive complete and accurate health information and services. At a time when more and more families are uninsured and under economic assault, we find our health care system is in crisis and our president taking steps to deny access to basic care.  Women’s ability to manage their own health care is at risk of being compromised by politics and ideology.

“As one of the leading women's health care providers and advocates, Planned Parenthood will not stand by and watch the Bush administration deny quality, affordable health care and accurate information to women. We urge all Americans to join Planned Parenthood’s national campaign to defend women’s health care.”

Planned Parenthood Federation of America is the nation's leading sexual and reproductive health care advocate and provider. We believe that everyone has the right to choose when or whether to have a child, and that every child should be wanted and loved. Planned Parenthood affiliates operate more than 880 health centers nationwide, providing medical services and sexuality education for millions of women, men, and teenagers each year. We also work with allies worldwide to ensure that all women and men have the right and the means to meet their sexual and reproductive health care needs.