Planned Parenthood Demands Sen. McConnell Stop Trying to Destroy Health Care

Washington, DC -- Last night, Senator Mitch McConnell announced that the effort to pass the Better Care Reconciliation Act would not be successful after failing to secure the necessary 50 votes from Republican members of the Senate. Sen. McConnell has now proposed the Senate vote on the 2015 legislation to repeal Obamacare -- a bill that would be even more damaging, leave millions without the health care they rely on, and prevent millions from coming to Planned Parenthood health centers for basic, preventive care.

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

The American people have made it clear time and time again that they will not stand to see Trumpcare passed into law. That’s why since day one of this fight, people across the country have been tirelessly organizing, making calls to Congress, attending townhalls, and hosting rallies to protect women’s access to health care.

“Apparently stripping 22 million people from their health care is not extreme enough -- Senator McConnell’s latest trick is to force a vote on a bill that’s even worse. It would take away health care from 32 million Americans, double the cost of premiums, and block people on Medicaid from accessing preventive care at Planned Parenthood. In Trumpcare 3.0, the price for women is just as high. The Senate must reject this bill.   

“It’s time for Senator McConnell to stop trying to destroy the health care of millions of people. Americans do not want to see women lose access to affordable health insurance, to maternity and birth control coverage, and to preventive care at Planned Parenthood. The vast majority of people in this country, including Republicans, oppose stripping millions of their health care, and oppose efforts to block individuals from going to Planned Parenthood for care.

“Senator McConnell should listen to the American people and his own caucus and focus on bipartisan approaches to address health care.

FACT: Experts agree that the provision to block people on Medicaid from accessing preventive care at Planned Parenthood is a violation of the Byrd rule. And there is broad consensus that it should not be in the reconciliation bill that repeals the Affordable Care Act.

FACT: Planned Parenthood grassroots organizing has been a driving force in opposing Trumpcare and efforts to “defund” Planned Parenthood. For months, an army of pink-clad Planned Parenthood patients, supporters, and advocates have taken thousands of actions from coast to coast including protest rallies, speaking out at Congressional town halls, calling their members of Congress, delivering petitions to Congressional offices, and hosting field hearings.

Over the last several months, Planned Parenthood supporters have:

• Made more than 180,000 phone calls to members of Congress

• Organized more than 2,200 events across the country, including rallies, petition drops, phone banks, and marches

• Delivered over 1 million petition signatures to members of Congress in opposition to  “defunding” Planned Parenthood.

FACT: A Quinnipiac poll shows that 80% of voters, including 67% of Republicans, oppose efforts to block people from getting care at Planned Parenthood.

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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 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.