Statement by Vicki Cowart, CEO and president of Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains, on Anniversary of Affordable Care Act

"This week, Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains, along with our supporters, celebrate the second anniversary of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the biggest advance in women's health in a generation.

"Women across the country and in Colorado are applauding President Obama for groundbreaking legislation that promotes and protects the health of women by ensuring coverage of preventive care, such as lifesaving cancer screenings, birth control and immunizations with no co-pays; the end of discriminatory practices against women, such as charging women higher premiums and denying coverage for 'pre-existing conditions'; and the expansion coverage for young adults by allowing them to stay on their parents' health plan until age 26; among many other benefits.

"Unfortunately, politicians opposed to protecting women's health want to take away these health care benefits and repeal the ACA. If they had their way, more women would be uninsured, medical discrimination against women would be legal again, and women would once again be forced to pay more for health care and get less for their money than men.

"This is why PPRM is a proud supporter of Know Your Care, an organization dedicated to educating the American people about the Affordable Care Act's life-saving consumer and patient protections. Tomorrow, Friday, March 23, PPRM will join Know Your Care and other partner organizations in presenting a roundtable discussion about the Affordable Care Act and how it affects women. Congresswoman Diana DeGette, Anna Benyo of the National Women's Law Center, Diane Carman from the UCD School of Public Affairs, and a mother whose son has pre-existing condition will share their views and perspectives on how the Affordable Care Act is protecting women's health.

"We cannot go backwards. That's why we are engaged in an effort to educate the public about the benefits of the ACA and to protect women's health and protect the law."