Planned Parenthood Condemns Anti-Women's Health Bill - House Bill 2800

For Immediate Release: Jan. 30, 2014

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PRESS STATEMENT

Protecting access to affordable health care for Arizona women is #1 priority

PHOENIX–Planned Parenthood condemns Senate passage of House Bill 2800, a bill that, if enacted, could reduce access to a wide range of preventive health care for thousands of Arizonans.

The bill could prohibit Planned Parenthood Arizona health centers, which provide more than 65,000 Arizonans with life-saving cancer screenings, birth control, prevention and treatment of STDs, breast health services, pap tests, sexual health education, information and health counseling, from receiving public health funds. It is unfortunate for Arizonans, that lawmakers are ignoring the fact that Planned Parenthood’s nonprofit health centers in Arizona have been an important part of the health care network in the state for more than 75 years. 

In these difficult economic times when families need more access to affordable health care, not less, anti-women’s health legislators are cynically targeting family planning providers--- including Planned Parenthood--- at the expense of men, women and teens.

“Planned Parenthood works every day to keep women healthy.  In fact, one in five women in America has turned to one of Planned Parenthood’s nonprofit health centers for professional, nonjudgmental and confidential care at some point in her life,” says Bryan Howard, President and CEO, Planned Parenthood Arizona.  “Women who come to Planned Parenthood aren’t making a political statement; they are coming to get health care they need. We call on Governor Brewer to reject this dangerous bill inserting politics into health care.”

“Many in the legislature will never know what it’s like to feel a lump in their breast and have to worry about the cost of a doctor’s visit,” continues Howard. “This is the reality with which many Arizona women are faced.”

It is Planned Parenthood Arizona’s hope that Governor Brewer will see that House Bill 2800 will do nothing but reduce the preventive health care options for women and men in Arizona, therefore veto the bill.

Key Background Facts

FACT: The funds at issue can ONLY be used for preventive health care, including life-saving cancer screenings, birth control, prevention and treatment of STDs, breast health services, pap tests, sexual health education, and information.

FACT: The funds are prohibited by law from paying for abortions.

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In the community for 76 years, Planned Parenthood Arizona is the leading sexual health organization in Arizona. The organization provides health care, education and outreach services to a total of more than 90,000 men, women, teens and parents annually. Planned Parenthood Arizona operates health center locations statewide in Phoenix, Tucson, Flagstaff, Prescott Valley and Yuma. For more information, please visit www.ppaz.org.