Representative Hayworth Votes to Block Funds to Planned Parenthood, Would Cut Health Care to Millions

(Hawthorne, NY) - Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic (PPHP) denounces Representative Nan Hayworth’s (R-Mount Kisco) vote to block federal funding for Planned Parenthood as part of the 2011 continuing budget resolution. The amendment to H.R. 1, which passed in a vote of 240-185, blocks funding for Planned Parenthood including Medicaid.

“This extreme and dangerous piece of legislation targeting Planned Parenthood is out of step with mainstream American values and is out of line with the issues voters want our representatives in Washington to focus on,” said Reina Schiffrin, President/CEO, PPHP.

Hayworth was one of six members of the New York delegation to vote for the amendment proposed by Indiana Republican Representative Mike Pence.

“This is an attack specifically on Planned Parenthood because we provide safe, legal abortion care. But under the 1976 Hyde Amendment no federal funding can be used for abortion. It’s an illogical argument that only harms the millions of women who seek primary and preventive care at Planned Parenthood health centers each year,” added Schiffrin.

Under this proposal, 48 percent of Planned Parenthood patients – approximately 1.4 million people – would be cut off from their source of health care, including lifesaving breast and cervical cancer screenings, affordable birth control, HIV testing, and testing and treatment for other sexually transmitted infections.

Locally, PPHP’s 12 health centers provide care to over 35,000 patients each year. Eliminating Title X and Medicaid funding to Planned Parenthood means over 31,000 PPHP patients may have nowhere else to turn to for health care.

As for fiscal discipline and deficit reduction, family planning programs like Title X save money. For every public dollar invested in family planning, taxpayers save nearly $4.

“We now turn to our Senators to reject this extreme approach and guarantee the millions of Americans who count on Planned Parenthood for health care are protected,” added Schiffrin.

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Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic, Inc (PPHP) is the 15th largest affiliate of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, and operates 12 medical centers in Suffolk, Westchester, Rockland, and Putnam Counties. In 2010, PPHP provided services to over 35,000 patients in nearly 70,000 visits. We conducted 1,900 education programs reaching over 35,000 youth and adults, and mobilized approximately 10,000 advocates to protect reproductive health care rights. PPHP has served the community for 78 years, and is dedicated to educating and empowering individuals to make responsible choices regarding their sexuality and sexual health. Planned Parenthood has done more to reduce the incidence of abortion and unintended pregnancy than any other health care provider or advocacy group. PPHP is headquartered in Hawthorne NY. For more information about PPHP services and programs, visit www.pphp.org. Find us on Facebook and MySpace, and follow us on Twitter.