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Move threatens health care for people with low incomes, particularly women, across the country

Washington, DC — Today, the Trump administration announced what could lead to a major overhaul to Medicaid, paving the way for states to slash Medicaid funding and jeopardize health care coverage for people with low incomes, including reproductive and sexual health care.

Statement from Alexis McGill Johnson, Acting President and CEO, Planned Parenthood Federation of America:

“Less than one week after claiming to support the ‘millions of extraordinary women in America’ at an anti-abortion rally, Trump and his administration are paving the way for states to cut health care services and kick women with low incomes off their health insurance. We already know who will be hit the hardest by today’s proposed overhaul: women of color, who already face systemic barriers in accessing quality health care. Today’s announcement adds to the ever-growing mountain of evidence that Trump does not, and never has, valued the lives and health of women.

The Trump administration’s move to allow states to overhaul Medicaid into a block grant system would result in drastic cuts to funding, and could cause women with low incomes across the country to lose access to their health care. About one in five women of reproductive age rely on Medicaid for their health care, and women account for over half of all adult Medicaid enrollees. Medicaid covers more women’s health services than any other payer. Medicaid is also the largest payer of reproductive health care coverage, paying for nearly half of all births in the United States and 75 percent of family planning services.

The attack on Medicaid comes barely a week after the Trump administration granted Texas federal funding for their state program that blocks patients in the program from accessing care at Planned Parenthood health centers, setting a dangerous precedent for other states that may follow suit. After Texas barred Planned Parenthood from providing care through the program in 2013, there was a sharp decline in access to women’s health services, resulting in nearly 45,000 fewer women accessing health care services through the Texas program.

This isn't the first time Trump and his administration have tried to restrict access to Medicaid and take away people's health coverage, including imposing discriminatory work requirements on people who need Medicaid and unsuccessfully attempting to slash funding for this important program in Congress in 2017. Trump has regularly targeted the health care of people with low incomes with his policies: the domestic gag rule on Title X — which jeopardizes affordable birth control, STI testing, cancer screenings, and more for millions of people; as well as his attacks on the Affordable Care Act — the health care law that expanded health care coverage; guarantees access to affordable birth control; protects Americans with pre-existing conditions; and allows a person to stay on their family’s health insurance plan until they are 26 years old.

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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.

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