The Quickie: Biden's State of the Union Put Reproductive Rights Front and Center

Welcome to “The Quickie” — Planned Parenthood Action Fund’s daily tipsheet on the top health care & reproductive rights stories of the day. You can read “The Quickie'' online here.

In today’s Quickie: State of the Union focuses on reproductive rights and new research shows Americans are concerned over the dangerous impacts of the global gag rule.

BIDEN’S STATE OF THE UNION PUT REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS FRONT AND CENTER: The importance of sexual and reproductive health care as a leading national issue was felt strongly at the 2024 State of the Union last night. Over 35 reproductive rights advocates — including Planned Parenthood Action Fund president and CEO Alexis McGill Johnson — attended President Biden’s address, as the devastating consequences of Dobbs continue to wreak havoc across the country. In his remarks, the president spoke about the need to restore reproductive rights and voting rights — highlighting that abortion is a winning issue. 

In response, Planned Parenthood Action Fund president and CEO Alexis McGill Johnson issued the following statement: 

“The national reproductive health crisis requires every leader to fight for our right to control our own bodies and futures. We are grateful to President Biden, Vice President Harris, and leaders across the administration, who understand the harm done to patients and providers because the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. Reproductive health care is under attack, from birth control to IVF to abortion care. Patients, providers, and communities need unwavering, vocal support, coupled with action from our leaders in the White House, through the halls of Congress, and on court benches throughout the country.”

Read more about SOTU in STAT and HuffPost.
 

MAJORITY OF AMERICANS CONCERNED ABOUT THE DANGEROUS IMPACTS OF THE GLOBAL GAG RULE: Today, International Women’s Day, Planned Parenthood Federation of America released new research showing that the global gag rule raises major concerns for more than two-thirds of Americans. Over 70% of respondents have major corners that harsh bans on reproductive health, like the global gag rule will worsen health care outcomes worldwide —  including increasing maternal mortality rates and reducing access to HIV prevention services. In response to the new research Alexis McGill Johnson, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Federation of America released the following statement: 

“As we’ve long known, Americans strongly reject efforts to restrict access to reproductive health care both in the U.S. and around the world. Since the Dobbs decision, we have seen what happens when people can’t get the care they need. Americans are deeply concerned with the global gag rule’s impact on health care and rightly see this policy as part of a dangerous trend of denying women access to basic information and services. It’s time to stop playing politics with countless people’s health and lives across the globe, and make health care accessible for all.

Read more here.