Planned Parenthood Applauds Defeat of Anti-Women's Health Amendment

Pence Amendment Targeting Planned Parenthood Soundly Defeated

Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) today applauded the 247 members of Congress who stood up for women's health and overwhelmingly defeated (by a vote of 247–183) an amendment to H.R. 3293, the Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations bill.  The amendment, if passed, would have denied family planning services to millions of women, men and teens by restricting Title X federal family planning funds from going to Planned Parenthood affiliate health centers.

“Planned Parenthood applauds members of Congress for standing up for women’s health and the millions of women who rely on Planned Parenthood for preventive health care,” said Cecile Richards, PPFA president.

Representative David Obey (D-WI), chair of the House Appropriations Committee, spoke in opposition to the amendment and praised Planned Parenthood health centers for the work they do. On the House floor, Rep. Obey said, “Planned Parenthood plays a central role in expanding access to care under Title X. Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leading reproductive health care provider. For over 90 years, Planned Parenthood has provided low-income and uninsured women with vital reproductive health care services they need…. The Pence amendment would cut millions of American women off from their source of primary care.”   

Planned Parenthood, with more than 850 affiliate health centers, is part of an important network of women’s essential community health care providers. Planned Parenthood health centers serve as entry point into the health care system for millions of women. As the economic downturn continues, more women are turning to women’s health centers like Planned Parenthood for basic health care. Six in 10 patients who receive care at a women’s health center like Planned Parenthood consider it their primary source of health care.

More than 90 percent of the health care Planned Parenthood provides is preventive and primary care. Every year, Planned Parenthood affiliate health centers provide nearly one million cervical cancer screenings, more than 850,000 breast exams, contraception to nearly 2.5 million patients, more than three million tests and treatments for STDs, including HIV, and nearly 50,000 colposcopies.

In addition, Planned Parenthood is an integral part of the success of the Title X family planning program. One out of every three women, 1.7 million, who receives Title X family planning health care does so at a Planned Parenthood health center. According to the Guttmacher Institute, the Title X program helps prevent 970,000 unintended pregnancies.

The Title X program provides comprehensive family planning services as well as a wide range of other preventive health care, including:
-breast exams and instruction on breast self-examination
-Pap tests for early detection of cervical cancer or precancerous conditions
-testing for high blood pressure
-screening and appropriate treatment for sexually transmitted infections, including HIV
-counseling on adoption, foster care, and pregnancy termination
-referrals to specialized health care

Title X funds are prohibited from being spent on abortion care.

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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 over 650 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.