Planned Parenthood Calls on Congress to Pass Community Health Care Workers Act
For Immediate Release: Jan. 30, 2014
Statement by Planned Parenthood Federation of America
Director of Government Relations Jackie Payne
Washington, DC — Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) applauds the introduction of the Community Health Care Workers Act by Representative Hilda Solis. As the nation’s leading advocate and provider of reproductive health services, Planned Parenthood supports the Community Health Care Workers Act, which will increase access to health care and prevention services in underserved communities across the country.
PPFA Director of Government Relations Jackie Payne issued the following statement about the bill's introduction:
“The Community Health Care Workers Act will dramatically improve health care delivery in underserved communities that lack access to health care because of informational, language and cultural barriers by supporting initiatives that deliver health care, information and services directly to those who need them.
“As America’s leading reproductive health care advocate and provider, Planned Parenthood knows firsthand that community interaction and commonsense prevention measures are essential tools for addressing health care inequalities.
“We know firsthand because Planned Parenthood's promotores program trains Latino women and men to educate their communities by sharing information about prevention, healthy behaviors and the health services provided by Planned Parenthood with their families, friends, and neighbors.
“Planned Parenthood created our promotores program nearly 20 years ago in South Texas in migrant farm worker communities, to help women, men, and teens access culturally and linguistically appropriate information and health care. Today, our promotores programs help us to provide health care and information in 25 communities nationwide.
“For making access to health care a priority with the introduction of this act, Planned Parenthood applauds Representative Solis and co-sponsors Representatives Grijalva, Lee, and Wynn.”