Attacks on Women’s Health Loom Large as Senate Considers AHCA
Republicans on State and Federal Level Continue Attacks on Planned Parenthood
Nicole Safar, Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin’s public policy director, said she was concerned family planning clinics were being targeted for political reasons. The state denies the claim.
KENOSHA, Wis. – As Speaker Paul Ryan and Republicans continue push forward their dangerous health care agenda and ignore the voices of their constituents, Democratic state legislators are holding a town hall today to focus on voters’ concerns about women’s health care access in Wisconsin.
The version of the AHCA passed by the House contains a provision to block Medicaid patients from accessing preventive care – birth control, STD testing and treatment, well woman exams and cancer screenings – at Planned Parenthood.
Quote from Planned Parenthood patient, Lori Hawkins:
“I am grateful to Planned Parenthood because they helped me become a mother. I relied on them for care when I was an underinsured teacher and they helped me through a medical emergency. Their quick action preserved my ability to have children.”
“It is unthinkable that our elected officials would take away that care for even one woman, much less the 60,000 people in Wisconsin who turn to Planned Parenthood for care. Defunding Planned Parenthood is not public service. It’s endangering the health and lives of millions across the country, and I no longer have the luxury of being a silent supporter of the health care Planned Parenthood provides.”
Quote from Nicole Safar, executive director of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin:
“The AHCA would have horrible implications for women’s health in Wisconsin. The bill makes it harder to prevent unintended pregnancy, harder to have a healthy pregnancy and harder to raise a family.
“Speaker Ryan knows how unpopular his health care bill is. That’s why he’s refused to hold a town hall and face his constituents. As the Senate considers Speaker Ryan’s dangerous bill, Sen. Ron Johnson should know 80 percent of voters oppose efforts to block Medicaid patients from accessing care at Planned Parenthood.
“We are grateful that women’s health champions in the state legislature are listening to Wisconsinites and giving them the opportunity to talk about what’s at stake for women’s health.”
Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin is the advocacy arm of Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin. PPAWI engages in legislative and educational activity and works to elect candidates to office that support these goals.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.
Mentioned in This Press Release
Recent Press Releases by Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin
