Pro-Choice Caucus Announces Women’s Health Priorities for 2019 

Planned Parenthood President Calls on 116th Congress to Safeguard Reproductive Health and Rights

WASHINGTON — A day after a Pennsylvania court blocked the Trump-Pence administration’s nationwide rollback of birth control access, women’s health champions announced plans to fight back in Congress. Hosted by Rep. Judy Chu (CA-27) and the co-chairs of the Pro-Choice Caucus, Rep. Diana DeGette (CO-01) and Rep. Barbara Lee (CA-13), today’s event highlighted the priorities that women — particularly women of color — have been fighting for by marching, voting, running for office, and contacting their members of Congress since the 2016 election and before. Joined by Dr. Leana Wen, president of Planned Parenthood, the priorities outlined today include ending the harmful global gag rule; ensuring access to birth control and safe, legal abortion; and protecting the nation’s affordable birth control and reproductive health care program known as Title X.    

Statement from Dr. Leana Wen, President, Planned Parenthood Federation of America:

As a doctor, I’ve seen what’s at stake when people don’t have access to the full range of reproductive health care, from birth control to cancer screenings to safe, legal abortions: the cost is people’s lives. American voters, particularly women and women of color, sent a clear message in the last election -- they want their representatives to protect and expand access to reproductive health care. Today, I am proud to stand alongside women’s health champions in this historic new Congress to say reproductive health care is health care, and health care is a fundamental human right. At a time when politicians are still debating whether or not women have a right to standard health care like birth control and abortion, Planned Parenthood is ready to fight alongside lawmakers to advance a pro-women, pro-family agenda.

Statement from Rep. Judy Chu (CA-27):

The 116th Congress is our most diverse and representative Congress in history. And now, with a Congress that looks more like American than ever, including the most women ever, we are using this opportunity to stand up for communities whose voices have been silenced and whose rights have been trampled. That includes women whose access to medicine and medical treatment is restricted in a way just not seen with men. Policies like the Global Gag Rule, restrictions on birth control, and attacks on Title X funding are all meant to make it harder for women to have accurate and safe medical care. Access to healthcare is not up for negotiation, and the choices we make for our bodies should be up to us and our doctors, not Donald Trump and Mike Pence. We will not rest until we can ensure that all women, no matter their income level, background, or zip code have access to the medical care and medical options they deserve.

Since taking office, the Trump-Pence administration has pushed policy after policy to take away basic rights and health care. As recently as yesterday, the administration was blocked from taking direct aim at the birth control benefit that has brought coverage to nearly 63 million women through the Affordable Care Act. In one of the administration’s first acts, it reinstated the harmful global gag rule and radically expanded it for the first time, holding hostage global health assistance, including support for contraception and HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment. Last year, the administration proposed a domestic gag rule, which would make it illegal for health care providers across the country to tell patients how or where they can access safe, legal abortion. The gag rule would also target reproductive health care providers like Planned Parenthood from serving patients with low incomes. The Title X gag rule could come down from the administration any day now, despite massive opposition from medical associations, members of Congress, and individuals who submitted comments. 

In a huge victory for reproductive health and rights, the U.S. House of Representatives flipped to a pro-reproductive health majority following the 2018 midterm election. A record number of women were elected –– including the first Muslim women, the first two Native American women in the House, the first two Latina women to represent Texas to Congress, the first two Black women to represent New England in Congress, a record number of LGBTQ candidates elected into office, and more. This victory in the House was propelled by women, especially women of color. CNN exit polls showed House elections had a 20-point gender gap, with 73 percent of Latina women and 92 percent of Black women supporting Democratic candidates in House races.

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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.