Health Care Repeal Bill Fails in U.S. Senate

Planned Parenthood Grassroots Activists Refused to Let Bill Pass

SEATTLE — In a tremendous victory for health care, the U.S. Senate failed to pass the “skinny repeal” bill late last night. Planned Parenthood Votes Northwest and Hawaii (PPVNH) applauds Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Senate Democrats, as well as Sens. Collins (R-ME) and McCain (R-AZ) for protecting access to health care.

This repeal bill would have cut off access to vital health care services, disproportionately impacting people who already face unfair barriers to care, would have blocked millions from accessing birth control and cancer screenings at Planned Parenthood health centers, increased premiums by 20 percent and taken away health insurance from millions of Americans.

That’s why Planned Parenthood supporters launched a vocal, persistent opposition to these repeal efforts. For months, an army of pink-clad Planned Parenthood patients, supporters, and advocates organized thousands of actions from coast to coast — including rallies, speak-outs at congressional town halls, phone banks, petition deliveries, and action forums.

Statement from Elaine Rose, CEO of PPVNH:

“We stopped this bill in its tracks. This is because of you; your voices, your tenacity, and your fight. Women won last night. The leadership of Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins, alongside Sens. Patty Murray (D-WA) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) is a powerful reminder of the strength our elected leaders are capable of, especially now. Because of you, another 8,118 people will still be able to get care at Planned Parenthood health centers across the country today. Against all odds, grassroots organizing defeated this repeal bill. Across our four states this year, we held more than 708 events, and more than 56,000 people made calls, showed up at town halls, signed petitions and attended rallies. This fight is far from over, but this is a big step forward and we will continue to make our voices heard because it matters.”