CBO score confirms Planned Parenthood is singled out

WASHINGTON, DC – The just released CBO score on the Senate bill mirrors the previous CBO score and is totally clear that the “defunding” provision in Trumpcare singles out Planned Parenthood.

It states: “CBO identified only one organization that would be affected: Planned Parenthood Federation of America and its affiliates and clinics.”

The CBO also projects that about 15 percent of people who reside in “areas without other health care clinics or medical practitioners who serve low-income populations” would lose access to care, and that “services that help women avoid becoming pregnant would be affected.” Fifty-four percent of Planned Parenthood health centers are in health professional shortage areas, rural or medically underserved areas.  

“The CBO score reaffirms what we knew: Trumpcare is heartless and singles out Planned Parenthood, blocking millions of women from preventive care,” said Dawn Laguens, Executive Vice President of Planned Parenthood Federation of America.

Singling out Planned Parenthood affirms that the purpose for including the “defund” Planned Parenthood provision in Trumpcare is not budgetary. Instead, it is to advance the political goal of preventing Planned Parenthood health centers from participating in the federal Medicaid program.

Experts agree the “defund” Planned Parenthood provision is a violation of the Byrd Rule because it is politically motivated policy, similar to the tax credit provision related to abortion. It has no place on reconciliation because it violates these rules, and it has no place on any legislation because it is the epitome of a mean-spirited policy that hurts millions of women.

• Newsweek: A senior Republican Senate aide conceded Thursday that the authors of the bill are unsure if the Planned Parenthood provision will pass muster with the Senate parliamentarian, a nonpartisan official who has the power to deny the majority's bid to consider the rules under reconciliation.

• Axios: Planned Parenthood and abortion: Collins won't support the bill's provisions to prohibit federal funding from going to insurance plans that cover abortion and to defund Planned Parenthood. McConnell's best hope might be that the parliamentarian axes them and Cruz accepts the decision.

• CNN: The House bill prohibits federal funding for Planned Parenthood for a year. This is a major issue for Sens. Collins and Murkowski – a potential deal-breaker for both – who oppose limiting funds for the group. But there's a chance it's something Senate GOP leaders may not have to grapple with at all. Many aides believe the Senate Parliamentarian will strike this provision down on Byrd Rule grounds.

The CBO score on the Senate bill also highlights several key points regarding the far-reaching loss of health care coverage:

• CBO estimates 22 million more people would be uninsured by 2026 and 15 million would be uninsured next year. CBO estimates there will be 15 million fewer Medicaid enrollees by 2026. By 2026, among people under age 65, enrollment in Medicaid would fall by about 16 percent.

• CBO confirms that women will lose access to maternity coverage and other critical health care.

• CBO estimates that premiums would be about 20 percent higher in 2018, and 10 percent higher in 2019. The increased costs of care would disproportionately impact women, particularly women of color, given the inequities in earnings for women. Subsequently, Trumpcare will exacerbate existing health disparities. People of color already report less confidence in being able to afford care.

Statement from Dawn Laguens, Executive Vice President of Planned Parenthood Federation of America:

The CBO score reaffirms what we knew: Trumpcare is heartless and singles out Planned Parenthood, blocking millions of women from preventive care.

“This bill would slash Medicaid – which one in five women of reproductive age rely on –block millions of women from getting essential, preventive care at Planned Parenthood, increase premiums and deductibles, and gut essential health benefits like maternity care.  

“Simply put, Trumpcare is the worst legislation for women’s health in a generation.

“This bill makes it harder to prevent unintended pregnancy, harder to have a healthy pregnancy, and harder to raise a family.

“The fact is, one in five women in America has relied on Planned Parenthood, and their health care shouldn’t be subject to Donald Trump and Mitch McConnell’s political agenda. The Senate must reject this bill.

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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 600 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.