CBO Report Estimates Defunding Planned Parenthood Could Cost Government $130 Million

Washington, DC - A new report from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that defunding Planned Parenthood would cost taxpayers a net of $130 million dollars over ten years.

The report comes on the heels of politically-motivated attacks against the non-profit health care provider, and as extreme politicians such as Ted Cruz ramp up for a fight that could shut down the government over providing basic reproductive health care to millions of Americans.

Statement from Dawn Laguens, Executive Vice President of Planned Parenthood:
“Today’s estimates from the CBO reaffirm what we already know: defunding Planned Parenthood is bad policy and bad politics, and would hurt patients across the country. Planned Parenthood serves 2.7 millions of women, men and young each year and provides essential services like cancer screenings and helps prevent unintended pregnancy. The extreme attempt to cut off those millions off from care continue to be a losing proposition for the American people.”

The Hill reported: “CBO notes in its new estimate that its projections are “highly uncertain.”  It says that as little as 5 percent or as many as 25 percent of Planned Parenthood’s 2.6 million patients could face reduced access to care if Planned Parenthood were defunded. People in geographic areas without access to other clinics would be hardest hit, it finds. It also estimates there would be “several thousand” more births per year, though the number would decline over time as people found other healthcare providers.”

This is the second CBO report in the last month estimating that defunding Planned Parenthood would be detrimental to patients and across the country, with an earlier report showing that over 630,000 women would lose access to essential 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 approximately 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.