Planned Parenthood Blasts Cassidy-Graham-Heller Proposal
Worst ACA Repeal Bill Yet; Proposes to Defund Planned Parenthood
For Immediate Release: Sept. 18, 2017
“The Graham-Cassidy bill is a serious threat to the health care of millions of Americans.”
Washington, DC – As the Graham-Cassidy bill picks up steam in the Senate, Planned Parenthood Federation of America issued a statement strongly opposing the latest version of Trumpcare. The Graham-Cassidy bill is the worst ACA repeal proposal yet -- and rehashes dangerous policies that Americans have already rejected time and time again.
The Graham-Cassidy-Heller proposal includes a provision that would block millions of people from going to Planned Parenthood for preventive care, including birth control, cancer screenings, and STD testing and treatment.
The Graham-Cassidy-Heller proposal also fails the “Jimmy Kimmel test” that Sen. Cassidy himself set as a baseline. In June, Jimmy Kimmel tweeted a reminder to Sen. Cassidy that "No family should be denied medical care, emerg or otherwise, because they can’t afford it." By gutting Medicaid, the Graham-Cassidy-Heller proposal would put health care out of reach for millions of families.
Statement by Dawn Laguens, executive vice president at Planned Parenthood Federation of America:
The Graham-Cassidy bill is a serious threat to the health care of millions of Americans. This bill is the worst Obamacare repeal bill yet: Millions of Planned Parenthood patients could lose their health care if the Graham-Cassidy bill were to pass -- millions more would lose their coverage through Medicaid, and could lose essentials like maternity care and coverage for prescription drugs. Policy on women’s health care should not be written by a small group of male politicians behind closed doors. Enough is enough. With this latest version of Trumpcare, Americans will pay more and get less, but women will pay the biggest price of all.
###
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 affiliates 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.