Planned Parenthood requests emergency injunction to protect patient access to safe, legal abortion in Florida

Tallahassee, FL – Today, Planned Parenthood filed a request for an emergency injunction to protect women’s access to safe, legal abortion in Florida. This follows the Agency for Health Care Administration’s (AHCA) use of a new and unpublished definition of gestational periods.

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

“The allegation that Planned Parenthood is performing procedures that we aren’t licensed to is completely false. The state of Florida’s own records from nearly a decade ago confirm that Planned Parenthood is following the law, and nothing has changed.

“In state after state, officials have cleared Planned Parenthood of any wrongdoing. Planned Parenthood follows all laws and has very high medical standards, and that’s what these investigations have found. The politicians and anti-abortion extremists behind this smear campaign have made it clear they will stop at nothing to end access to abortion—pushing false allegations, harassing women and doctors, and reportedly breaking the law.

“Important medical issues shouldn't be politicized like this—or used to take away women’s access to health care. Planned Parenthood will continue to do everything in our power to protect access to care for the millions of men and women who rely on us in Florida and across the country.”

Statement of Barbara Zdravecky, CEO of Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida:

“AHCA’s claim that any Planned Parenthood health centers, including the health centers cited in St. Petersburg, Ft. Myers and Naples, are performing procedures we are not licensed to perform is simply false. All Florida Planned Parenthood health centers are operating in full compliance with state law as well as best practices in reproductive health care.

“Nearly a decade ago, state officials made it clear that Planned Parenthood is operating fully within the law, and nothing has changed. The state’s actions are patently disingenuous and constitute a wholly unwarranted political attack.

“Planned Parenthood’s rigorous medical standards and guidelines are informed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the Society for Family Planning, other professional organizations and published literature.

“At the federal and state levels, there are multiple agencies that oversee and regulate Planned Parenthood health care providers—and we don’t stop there. Planned Parenthood health centers go through an accreditation process, with rigorous standards, regular review and inspections, and ongoing training. We constantly evaluate new research in the field, new recommendations from medical associations, new technologies, and feedback from patients, experts, and regulators to continually improve our practices.”

###

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.