Planned Parenthood Hosts HHS Civil Rights Director for Roundtable on Critical Patient Privacy & Protections

Community partners & advocates joined the roundtable highlighting the rights and protections of Arizonans seeking abortion and reproductive health care.

PHOENIX, AZ – Thursday, May 11, Planned Parenthood Arizona President Medical Director Dr. Jill Gibson hosted United States Department of Health and Human Services Office of Civil Rights Director Melanie Fontes Rainer for a roundtable discussion on the health protections of patients in Arizona.

Fontes Rainer, who originally hails from Arizona, joined PPAZ leadership, Pro-Choice Arizona, ACLU Arizona, and Affirm to dive into the current abortion landscape nationally and in Arizona, and specifically highlight the Biden administration’s newly proposed additions to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) to better protect patients’ data with regard to sexual and reproductive health care.

“Abuse of private medical information by anti-abortion lawmakers or providers is simply another cruel tactic to restrict care, and we know any time access to health care is restricted, people suffer,” said Planned Parenthood Arizona President and CEO Brittany Fonteno. “Politically motivated attacks on reproductive health care have devastating, real-life consequences and disproportionately harm Black, Latino, and Indigenous communities, people with low incomes, and those living in rural areas who already face systemic barriers to accessing health care. Planned Parenthood Arizona continues to be a trusted provider of abortion care that prioritizes data security and protecting patient information, and we are glad to see the Biden administration’s commitment to protecting patients.”

While ongoing attacks on abortion access continue to jeopardize the privacy of patients and health care providers, the Biden administration has taken critical steps to both protect reproductive health data and patients’ access to reproductive health care, regardless of age, gender, pregnancy status or outcome, and prioritizes patient privacy.

Planned Parenthood Medical Director Dr. Jill Gibson added, “Access to abortion and the full spectrum of reproductive health care is critical to all Arizonans, and no patient should ever fear that their own medical data or conversations with their provider will be used against them. In order to provide the highest quality of care, we need our patients to feel safe and comfortable having an open dialogue with their providers and to know they have the right to make decisions about their bodies regardless of the beliefs of those around them and without political interference.”

The Biden administration’s rule change comes nearly 10 months after the overturning of Roe v. Wade and amidst efforts by a federal judge’s ruling to challenge the FDA’s approval of mifepristone, one of the medications used in medication abortion.

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Planned Parenthood Arizona promotes and protects every person's freedom and right to enjoy sexual health and well-being, to make reproductive choices, and build healthy, strong families. We have been providing sexual health care to Arizonans for over 80 years. We currently operate seven health centers across the state, five in the greater Phoenix area. Our organization also provides comprehensive fact-based sexuality education including workplace education programs that promote acceptance, diversity, and inclusion, and operates advocacy and outreach programs that provide opportunities for individuals to get involved in current issues related to our mission.

For more information about Planned Parenthood Arizona, visit our website https://www.plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-arizona.