Cecil Richards Speaks Out Against Stupak-Pitts

Planned Parenthood condemns the adoption of the Stupak/Pitts amendment in HR 3962 this evening. This amendment is an unacceptable addition to the health care reform bill that, if enacted, would result in women losing health benefits they have today. Simply put, the Stupak/Pitts amendment would restrict women’s access to abortion coverage in the private health insurance market, undermining the ability of women to purchase private health plans that cover abortion, even if they pay for most of the premiums with their own money. This amendment reaches much further than the Hyde Amendment, which has prohibited public funding of abortion in most instances since 1977.

Planned Parenthood serves three million women every year through its more than 850 affiliate health centers across the country and has worked tirelessly on behalf of those patients for affordable, quality health care. On behalf of the millions of women Planned Parenthood health centers serve, the Planned Parenthood Federation of America has no choice but to oppose HR 3962. The bill includes the Stupak/Pitts amendment that would leave women worse off after health care reform than they are today, violating President Obama’s promise to the American people that no one would be forced to lose her or his present coverage under health reform.

Abortion Myths vs. Reality in Healthcare Reform Debate

There has been a great deal of misinformation being spread about abortion care in health reform efforts. First, the majority of private insurance plans today cover abortion care. Second, a recent Mellman poll revealed that most Americans will NOT support health care reform if it doesn’t include comprehensive reproductive health care, including abortion. And, third, Americans do not want to see benefits taken away under health care reform. In other words, women don’t want to be worse off under health reform than they are today.

Here are some common myths that have been promoted throughout the health care reform debate.

1. MYTH: Health care reform would result in the greatest expansion of abortion since Roe v. Wade.
REALITY: Currently, the majority of plans already cover basic reproductive health care, including abortion care. In fact, more than 86 percent of employer-based insurance plans cover abortion care. That's why anti-choice groups are working so hard to strip reproductive health from health care reform — in order to strip women of coverage they currently have.

Kathleen Sebelius Nomination Confirmed

Exciting Political News! The U.S. Senate just confirmed Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius' nomination to lead the Department of Health and Human Services.

This is a huge victory, with the Senate voting 65-31 for Sebelius to take the helm. She will now be sworn into office by the Obama White House. The Department of Health and Human Services provides critical services to millions of Americans, and finally has a thoughtful, progressive leader at the helm. Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, was quick to release a statement after the vote applauding her nomination.

She is an excellent choice to lead HHS and has a proven track record of increasing access to affordable care, as countless women and their families struggle to afford quality health care during these difficult economic times, the need for health care reform that improves health outcomes is immediate.