Planned Parenthood Statement on Abortion Ban Vote in the House

Washington D.C. - Today, the U.S. House passed an unnecessary, inflammatory abortion ban, H.R. 4712, that criminalizes abortion providers. Medical guidelines and ethics already compel physicians facing life-threatening circumstances to respond. Doctors and clinicians oppose this law because it prevents them from giving the best care to their patients. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists strongly opposes this legislation, calling it a “gross  interference in the practice of medicine.” 

This current Congress has already held hearings and votes on several abortion bans, including unconstitutional 20-week and six-week abortion bans that are in clear violation of the right to an abortion pre-viability, a Supreme Court precedent set in Roe v. Wade and affirmed in Planned Parenthood v. Casey. In addition, the states have also made efforts to undermine women’s rights to reproductive health, having passed 401 restrictions on abortion since 2011. This is all a part of the same effort to limit women’s access to safe, legal abortion.

Planned Parenthood’s comment on the vote:

Statement from Dana Singiser, Vice President of Public Policy and Government Relations for Planned Parenthood Federation of America:

This bill is unnecessary and is full of inflammatory language intentionally designed to politicize the provision of health care. Planned Parenthood physicians provide high-quality medical care and adhere to the most rigorous professional standards, including providing emergency care. The political agenda here is clear: to take away access to safe, legal abortion.  Time and time again, the American people have rejected these blatantly political attacks on women’s health care. Instead of attacking women’s health, Congress needs to listen to the American people and invest in women and families.

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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 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.