PPAWI Statement on Senate Republicans’ Vote to “Defund” Planned Parenthood

Madison, Wis. – Today, Senate Republicans voted to “defund” Planned Parenthood as part of President Trump’s agenda. The Trump administration is taking away our freedoms, including the freedom to decide what doctors we can see and where we can see them. Women, Latinos, Black people, people in rural communities and people with lower incomes will lose access to essential health care if Planned Parenthood is defunded.

This legislation would devastate health care access for people across Wisconsin and the country — all to give tax breaks to billionaires. If signed into law, tens of thousands of Wisconsinites will lose access to birth control, cancer screenings, STI testing, and more because Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin will be unable to serve patients. This means health centers could close across the state.

Below is a statement from Tanya Atkinson, President of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin:

“This isn’t just about Planned Parenthood—it’s about the health and futures of tens of thousands of Wisconsinites. More than 1 million people in our state rely on Medicaid/BadgerCare. Over 50,000 of them count on Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin each year for cancer screenings, STI testing and treatment, birth control, and wellness care. We know people are tired—tired of fighting to keep the care they already have. But imagine walking into your annual cancer screening this August or trying to refill your birth control—only to find out the health care you’ve relied on is suddenly gone. That’s the reality that Senator Ron Johnson voted in favor of today.

“Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin health centers are committed to providing essential sexual and reproductive health services, including abortion care, amid politically motivated attacks. We are grateful for Senator Tammy Baldwin for her effort to preserve critical healthcare.”

Next, the bill will head back to the House of Representatives, where several Republican lawmakers have already faced significant backlash over their vote to “defund” Planned Parenthood as part of the House version of the bill passed in May.

Planned Parenthood of Advocates of Wisconsin will make sure Wisconsin’s representatives in the House understand that “defunding” Planned Parenthood means stripping their own constituents of access to health care.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.