Statement by PPRM CEO and President Vicki Cowart, on Senate Vote to Reject H. Con. Res. 36, a Proposal to Bar Planned Parenthood from Receiving Federal Funds to Provide Preventive Health Care

“Today, the U.S. Senate listened to millions of American women and voted, 58-42, to reject H. Con. Res. 36, an extreme proposal to bar Planned Parenthood from providing preventive health service including birth control, breast and cervical cancer screenings, and STD (including HIV) testing to patients who are covered by Medicaid and other federal programs.

“Planned Parenthood applauds the members of Congress who stood up for women’s health and voted against this proposal.

“This vote is a major victory for women’s health and the millions of women who go to Planned Parenthood for health care.

“Hundreds of thousands of Americans across the country made their voices heard in support of Planned Parenthood and opposed this radical proposal by calling Congress, writing and e-mailing their elected officials, and attending rallies. The grassroots support for Planned Parenthood was widespread and deep.

“This extreme proposal was rightly rejected by Democrats and Republicans. In addition, members of Congress who support abortion rights, as well as those who oppose abortion rights, voted against this proposal, which would have denied women family planning and would have resulted in an increase in unintended pregnancy.

“Even though the House Republican leadership insisted on forcing an up or down vote in the House and Senate on this extreme proposal today, all their political maneuvering accomplished was to show that the House leadership is willing to sacrifice women’s health to advance a narrow ideological agenda.

“While we are outraged that the House voted to pass H. Con. Res. 36 by a vote of 241-185, the outcome of that vote was not a surprise.

“Any member of Congress who voted for this extreme proposal just cast a vote against women’s access to lifesaving cancer screenings and birth control.

“More than 90 percent of the health care Planned Parenthood provides — and 100 percent of the care it provides through federal programs — is preventive. We do not want one woman to be diagnosed with advanced cancer that our health centers could have detected early through screening, and we’re appalled that a fringe element of Congress would continue to put its narrow political agenda ahead of women’s health and safety.

“Thankfully, the Senate has made clear this extreme proposal is unacceptable and rejected it.”