Congresswoman Matsui Statement on Planned Parenthood Attacks

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, September 17, 2015

CONTACT:
Julie Eddy: (202) 225-7163

Congresswoman Matsui Statement on Planned Parenthood Attacks

Defunding would deprive women and families of access to essential health services in our communities

Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-06) issued the following statement in response to House Republican efforts to defund Planned Parenthood:

"I stand with the millions of American women and men who receive essential health services from Planned Parenthood.

"We have made great strides in providing health coverage for all Americans under the Affordable Care Act. But these attacks on Planned Parenthood would take us many steps backwards by depriving millions of women and families of access to health care, including preventive services like cancer screening, contraceptive access, and preconception counseling aimed at helping women prepare for healthy pregnancies.

"We should not allow politicians to deny a woman access to health care and to infringe upon her rights to make decisions about her own body. These attacks are simply unfounded and an excuse to take away medical services and research from those that need it, just because of a difference in beliefs on one service that these organizations provide.

"Attacking Planned Parenthood and threatening a government shutdown over the continued funding of women's health services are dangerous distractions from the real issues facing American women and families. I hope we can put aside partisan politics so that every American, regardless of their income, is able to obtain affordable, quality healthcare."

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