Court Ruling Protects Access to Health Care & Education in Utah
For Immediate Release: Dec. 28, 2015
Second Ruling in Recent Weeks Blocking Illegal Efforts to Restrict Access to Care at Planned Parenthood
This Ruling Comes as Supporters Hold Nearly 300 Events across the Nation to Protest Repeated Attacks Against Planned Parenthood and Women’s Reproductive Health Care
New York, NY – A federal district judge in Utah today issued a temporary restraining order to protect access to health care and education at Planned Parenthood. Planned Parenthood Association of Utah filed suit yesterday after Governor Herbert ordered state agencies to discontinue their contracts providing federal funds to Planned Parenthood Association of Utah including for vital after school programming for young people and providing STD testing throughout the state, as detailed in adeclaration from PPAU CEO Karrie Galloway.
Local health care providers and experts have spoken out about the tremendous need for Planned Parenthood in these critical programs. As Lisa Nichols, executive director of Midtown Community Health Centers told theStandard Examiner: “We’re at capacity, and we turn people away every day. We can’t absorb their clients if they close.” In an interview with theSalt Lake Tribune, Holly Mullen, executive director of the Rape Recovery Center, said: "There are probably going to be fewer clients who will report for that important follow-up testing because Planned Parenthood really does have a reputation of understanding women's health care and being really professional at that aspect of what they do, and it's an easier place for rape victims to go for follow-up testing." Reportedly, the center refers 400 clients to Planned Parenthood each year – the vast majority of its clients.
This follows a September 18 ruling from a federal district judge in Arkansas to protect Planned Parenthood patients’ access to care through Medicaid – and as Planned Parenthood continues to fight in court on behalf of its patients in Alabama and Louisiana against similar measures.
This came as, today, millions of volunteers rallied in support of Planned Parenthood. Dubbed “National Pink Out Day,” supporters held close to 300 volunteer-led events in nearly 90 cities across the country, supporters and patients delivered more than 2.4 million “I Stand With Planned Parenthood” petition signatures to Congressional leaders, Planned Parenthood health centers offered free STD testing in 28 cities across the country, and supporters around the country tweeted and turned their social media profiles pink to show their support for Planned Parenthood.
“For the second time in recent weeks, the courts have ruled to protect access to care at Planned Parenthood. These cruel attacks are based on totally false and thoroughly discredited claims by anti-abortion extremists – and could have real and devastating consequences on the patients who rely on us for birth control, cancer screenings, and other care,” said Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America. “Whether it’s in court or in Congress, Planned Parenthood will continue to fight for our patients in Utah and across the country.”
Planned Parenthood Association of Utah has been a trusted provider of reproductive health care and education to Utah women, men, and their families for 45 years. Its nine health centers around the state see approximately 45,000 patients every year and its excellent education programs reach almost 10,000 more.
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Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leading provider and advocate of high-quality, affordable health care for women, men, and young people, as well as the nation’s largest provider of sex education. With approximately 700 health centers across the country, Planned Parenthood organizations serve all patients with care and compassion, with respect and without judgment. Through health centers, programs in schools and communities, and online resources, Planned Parenthood is a trusted source of reliable health information that allows people to make informed health decisions. We do all this because we care passionately about helping people lead healthier lives.
Source
Planned Parenthood Federation of America
Contact
Planned Parenthood Federation of America media office: 212-261-4433
Published
September 29, 2015