Planned Parenthood: Averted Government Shutdown Will Protect Women’s Access to Care

New York, NY - Despite months of political posturing and threats to shut down the government over the health care Planned Parenthood provides each year to 2.7 million people, both chambers of Congress voted to avert a government shutdown --- hours before the deadline.

The vote comes a day after supporters in 90 cities across the country held nearly 300 events to demonstrate their support for Planned Parenthood. Pro-women’s health members of Congress also delivered over 2.4 million signatures asking Congress not to defund Planned Parenthood. All 11 national polls have shown that voters overwhelmingly support efforts to make sure women, men, and young people can continue to get high-quality, preventive health care at Planned Parenthood.

Statement from Cecile Richards, President of Planned Parenthood:

“We’re relieved that Congress averted a shutdown tonight, but this should never have gotten this far in the first place.

“Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leading provider of high-quality reproductive health care, and our health centers operate just like every other health care provider in this country in receiving federal reimbursements for providing specific services to low-income patients. We don’t get a check from the government every year; our health centers are reimbursed for providing birth control, cancer screenings, STD testing, and other preventive care to Medicaid patients.

“This Congress has a troubling obsession with interfering in women’s health. In just the last few months, Congress has voted 15 times to block women’s access to reproductive health care. These attacks on women’s health harm women and are not what the American public wants Congress to spend it time doing.”

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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.