Planned Parenthood Condemns House Move to Eliminate Abortion Coverage

WASHINGTON, DC — Today, the U.S. House of Representatives approved H.R.7, the “No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act of 2017," a dangerous assault on women’s health. The bill is a thinly-veiled attempt to take away the comprehensive private health insurance coverage that millions of women have today and to make the Hyde amendment and other federal abortion bans permanent.

Statement from Cecile Richards, President, Planned Parenthood Federation of America:

“Decisions about a woman’s health care should be made in her doctor’s office, not on the House floor. The bill passed by the House today is a sweeping assault on women’s health that aims to eliminate abortion coverage for millions, make Hyde and other abortion bans permanent - impacting low income women and disproportionately affecting women of color - and undermine a woman’s ability to make personal decisions about her own health care.”

“Just days after historic numbers of people turned out for marches across the country and around the world, politicians put women’s health at extraordinary risk by limiting proper health care for thousands here in the U.S. and internationally. On the heels of the 44th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, politicians should know that the majority of Americans want them to focus on policies that keep moving women forward rather than taking them back.”

BACKGROUND:

H.R.7 undermines access to insurance coverage of comprehensive women's healthcare.

• H.R. 7 threatens women's health by denying access to health insurance coverage that includes abortion by taking away important financial assistance from American families, including cost-sharing reductions and premium tax credits to help pay for the cost of health care.
• Health insurance industry experts agree that this type of restriction could result in private health insurance companies dropping abortion coverage altogether, leaving millions of women - without coverage.
• Already, too many women are denied abortion coverage because of how much they earn. In addition to interfering with the private marketplace, H.R. 7 would make these harmful bans permanent.
• The Hyde Amendment already wrongly denies abortion access to women on Medicaid, affecting low-income women and disproportionately, women of color
• The goal of this bill is clear: to end any and all insurance coverage of abortion and make abortion financially out of reach, even in cases where a woman's health is in danger.

H.R. 7 prevents women from getting coverage they need - even if their health is at risk.

• The bill does not allow exception for abortions necessary to protect a woman's health, even to protect against serious medical conditions.
• Decisions about whether to choose adoption, end a pregnancy, or raise a child must be left to a woman, with the counsel of her family, her faith and her doctor or healthcare provider.
• Support for access to safe, legal abortion is at a record high -- with 69% of Americans not wanting to see Roe V. Wade overturned, the highest rate since the case was decided more than 40 years ago.

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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.