Planned Parenthood Federation of America President Cecile Richards’ Statement Opposing New Abortion Restrictions in the High-Risk Insurance Pools

“Planned Parenthood strongly opposes the new abortion restrictions announced today by the Obama administration in formal regulations issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This new policy will prohibit individuals from using their own private funds to purchase private health insurance coverage for abortion care in the new high-risk insurance pools, also known as the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plans (PCIP).

“The high-risk insurance pools are meant to provide access to health coverage for women and men with serious medical conditions, such as cancer, AIDS, and heart disease. These are the very women who are more likely to be subject to medically complicated pregnancies and in need of the full range of reproductive care, including abortion coverage. 

“We are disappointed that the administration has imposed this new abortion restriction in the high-risk insurance pools which will result in some of the most medically vulnerable women facing limited health care options at a time when they need them most.”