Women’s Health Issues Hot Topic at the State Capitol Today

For Immediate Release: Jan. 30, 2014

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Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains Statement on HB-1130 and amendments to the Annual Long Appropriations Bill By VP of Public Affairs Cathy Alderman

DENVER – “Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains is pleased by today’s 5-2 defeat of HB-1130 in the Senate Judiciary Committee.

“PPRM supports existing Colorado laws that already prohibit and severely punish criminal acts that result in the termination of a woman’s pregnancy. Unfortunately, HB-1130 did not present a solution to preventing violence against pregnant women. In fact, if passed, it would have paved the path for difficult constitutional issues Colorado voters resoundingly rejected in the 2008 and 2010 elections when Amendments 48 and 62, the so-called “personhood” amendments, were defeated. We are grateful for the members of the Senate committee who recognized the dangers of this bill and voted against it.

“HB-1130 was not the only issue affecting women’s health at the state Capitol today. After lively discussions during debate on the annual long appropriations bill, two amendments ensuring greater protections for women’s health were cut short. One amendment, which would have made men’s sexual health care subject to the same rigid funding prohibition that women’s health care is subject to, was withdrawn while another amendment failed which aimed to protect access to birth control.

“It is evident that the war on women has reached the Colorado General Assembly.  Planned Parenthood will continue to stand up and say ‘enough is enough.’

“Unfortunately, with Senate Memorial 003 on the horizon, we know these attacks are not yet over. SM003 would allow employers or health insurers to deny employees health care services to anything they morally or religious object. This dangerous initiative is a direct attack on access to women’s health care services.

“PPRM firmly opposes SM003; it not only opens the door to discriminatory practices but represents a complete invasion of privacy. We will be educating our activists in the weeks to come about SM003 and how it is the latest front on the war on women.”

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Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains empowers individuals and families in the communities we serve to make informed choices about their sexual and reproductive health by providing high quality health services, comprehensive sex education, and strategic advocacy. More than 123,000 women, men, and young adults annually visit our 28 health centers throughout Colorado, New Mexico, Southern Nevada, and Wyoming. Since 1916, we have been the region’s most trusted provider of reproductive health care. For more information about Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains, call 1.800.230.PLAN or visit pprm.org for the health center nearest you.