Planned Parenthood Responds to the Justice Department’s Establishment of the Reproductive Rights Task Force
For Immediate Release: July 12, 2022
WASHINGTON — Today, the U.S. Department of Justice announced its formal establishment of a Reproductive Rights Task Force, created to identify ways to protect access to reproductive health care, including abortion, following the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.
In response to the announcement, Planned Parenthood Federation of America President and CEO Alexis McGill Johnson released the following statement:
“In the 18 days since the Supreme Court made the cruel and heartbreaking decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, I’ve traveled across the country to some states where people have been most impacted by the decision. On every trip, I’ve heard the stories of people feeling the insurmountable weight of losing access to a right with each passing day. Providers — whose sole priority should be delivering health care to those who need it — have to consider new constraints including weighing the very real risk of criminalization.
“Today’s Reproductive Rights Task Force announcement from the Justice Department is a meaningful step in providing a framework for enforcing federal protection for those helping patients navigate access to abortion, and we look forward to seeing its work quickly take shape. Planned Parenthood Federation of America encourages leaders at all levels of government to continue to consider the ways they can mitigate the fallout of the court’s decision.”
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Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leading provider and advocate of high-quality, affordable sexual and reproductive health care for all people, as well as the nation’s largest provider of sex education. With more than 600 health centers across the country, Planned Parenthood organizations serve all patients with care and compassion, with respect, and without judgment, striving to create equitable access to health care. Through health centers, programs in schools and communities, and online resources, Planned Parenthood is a trusted source of reliable education and information that allows people to make informed health decisions. We do all this because we care passionately about helping people lead healthier lives. Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that supports the independently incorporated Planned Parenthood affiliates operating health centers across the U.S.