Statement by Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards on the Senate Democratic Leadership’s Continuing Resolution

For Immediate Release: Jan. 30, 2014

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Planned Parenthood applauds the Senate leadership for proposing an alternative Continuing Resolution to H.R. 1, which invests in programs that save money and save lives, including family planning programs.

“The Senate proposal maintains funding for the Title X family planning program and clearly recognizes the fundamental role Title X plays in promoting positive health outcomes in communities across the country.

“The Senate leadership also understands that family planning programs help the budget: studies show that every dollar invested in family planning saves nearly $4 down the line.

“This is in sharp contrast to H.R. 1, which, under the guise of deficit reduction, pushes an extreme ideological agenda, including the complete elimination of the national family planning program as well as prohibiting Planned Parenthood from receiving federal funds for preventive health care, including lifesaving cancer screenings, breast exams, birth control, and STD testing and treatment, including HIV testing.

“The House effort to eliminate federal funding for Planned Parenthood health centers is purely political, will do nothing to reduce the deficit or fix the economy, and will ultimately result in job loss. 

“The national family planning program has provided lifesaving preventive and primary care for low-income women since President Nixon signed it into law in 1970. Health centers funded through the national family planning program, including Planned Parenthood, save women’s lives by detecting breast and cervical cancer at early stages, by offering testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections, screening for high blood pressure, and providing immunizations. These clinics also prevent nearly a million unintended pregnancies every year, thus reducing the need for abortion.  

“Planned Parenthood’s doctors and nurses provide preventive care to three million people a year. The effort to bar Planned Parenthood health centers from receiving any federal funds would shatter the country’s public health safety net and jeopardize women’s health. Without Planned Parenthood’s 800-plus health centers, millions of women will have no place to go for basic, preventive health care.

“Finally, H.R. 1 also contains harmful polices on international women’s health, including a reinstatement of the Bush era Global Gag Rule and a restriction on U.S. contributions to UNFPA, the United Nation Population Fund. These ideological attacks on women do not save taxpayers money, and will instead undermine the positive impact of U.S. programs overseas.

“To its credit, the Senate proposal keeps investments in international family planning and reproductive health at least at current funding levels.

“Planned Parenthood urges the Senate to reject politically-divisive proposals that do nothing to improve our economy and will hurt American women.”