Planned Parenthood Urges Senate to Pass Commonsense Women’s Health Amendments in SGR Bill
For Immediate Release: April 15, 2015
WASHINGTON, DC — Planned Parenthood is urging the Senate to pass the pro-women’s health amendment introduced by Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and other pro-women’s health champions to the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (H.R. 2), that would provide critical access to quality health care for women and to ensure that women have access to health care providers that meet their needs.
The Murray amendment “Women’s Access to Quality Health Care Act” would extend enhanced Medicaid reimbursement for primary care physicians and expand it to include OB/GYNs. The amendment would also provide $500 million for Title X family planning program and support training programs for women’s health nurse practitioners. Finally, the Murray amendment removes the reference to the Hyde abortion restriction that was included in the House-passed bill and provides funding for community health centers.
Statement from Cecile Richards, President, Planned Parenthood Action Fund:
“We thank Senator Murray and other champions of women’s health in the Senate for their tireless efforts to ensure our country continues to move forward on women’s health — not backward. This aptly named amendment would provide critical access to quality health care for women, ensure women have access to health care providers that meet their needs, and keep politicians out of a woman’s personal health care decisions.
“American’s have been abundantly clear in their support for women’s health. Not only that, but investments in family planning save taxpayers money in the long-run. We urge Congress to pass this amendment and continue investing in programs that are proven to work.”
BACKGROUND:
- A Guttmacher Institute report found that in addition to helping women and couples avoid unintended pregnancy and abortion, public investment in family planning services, like the ones Planned Parenthood health centers provide, also reduce the instances of cervical cancer, HIV, STIs, preterm and low birth-weight births, and infertility for women and their children.
- This investment also resulted in saving substantial public dollars. In 2010, the government saved $13.6 billion or $7.09 for every public dollar spent — a figure that continues to increase over time.
- Almost 6 in 10 women (58 percent) report seeing an OB/GYN on a regular basis, and one-third of women (35 percent) view their OB/GYN provider as their main source of care.
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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 more than 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
April 15, 2015