Planned Parenthood Condemns DC Abortion Ban and Harris Amendment

Applauds Alternate Amendment by Reps. Barbara Lee and Mike Quigley

WASHINGTON, DC -- As the nation’s leading sexual and reproductive health care provider and advocate, Planned Parenthood condemned a measure that would bar the District of Columbia from using its own funds to give low-income women access to abortion and an amendment by Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD) banning all multi-state plans under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) from providing coverage for abortion except in cases of rape, incest, or life endangerment.

Federal law already prohibits federal funds from being used for abortion, except in the instances of rape, incest, or when the woman’s life is threatened – a restriction Planned Parenthood strongly opposes. Additionally, by law, at least one multi-state plan offered in each state Marketplace must not cover abortion beyond life-endangerment, rape, and incest. The Harris amendment to the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations bill goes even further to restrict abortion coverage in all multi-state plans under the ACA and is nothing more than an attempt to interfere with a woman’s ability to make a personal decision.

Statement from Cecile Richards, President, Planned Parenthood Federation of America:

“The DC abortion ban and the Harris amendment are outrageous examples of politicians interfering in a woman’s deeply personal medical decisions that should be between her and her doctor.

“Politics should never get in the way of women’s access to health care. That’s why we applaud Congresswoman Lee and Congressman Quigley’s amendment to the spending bill. The District of Columbia should be able to use its own local funds to pay for medically necessary abortion services for women struggling to make ends meet, just as all 50 states are allowed the same option.

“Planned Parenthood knows firsthand the challenges that women face in accessing affordable health care including safe and legal abortion, and we will continue to fight politicians’ interference with a women’s access to comprehensive coverage of reproductive health services.”

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Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leading provider and advocate of high-quality, affordable health care for women, men, and young people, as well as the nation’s largest provider of sex education. With more than 700 health centers across the country, Planned Parenthood organizations serve all patients with care and compassion, with respect and without judgment. Through health centers, programs in schools and communities, and online resources, Planned Parenthood is a trusted source of reliable health information that allows people to make informed health decisions. We do all this because we care passionately about helping people lead healthier lives.