President Obama Just Vetoed a Bill That Would Have Blocked Millions of Patients from Receiving Care at Planned Parenthood Health Centers
By Dawn Laguens | Jan. 8, 2016, 2:35 p.m.
Category: Attacks on Planned Parenthood, Voting
THIS is why it’s absolutely critical to have an unwavering champion for women’s health in the White House: President Obama just vetoed a bill that would block millions of patients from receiving care at Planned Parenthood health centers!
Here's what he had to say in his veto message (bolding is ours):
"The Reconciliation Act would also effectively defund Planned Parenthood. Planned Parenthood uses both Federal and non-federal funds to provide a range of important preventive care and health services, including health screenings, vaccinations, and check-ups to millions of men and women who visit their health centers annually. Longstanding Federal policy already prohibits the use of Federal funds for abortions, except in cases of rape or incest or when the life of the woman would be endangered. By eliminating Federal Medicaid funding for a major provider of health care, H.R. 3762 would limit access to health care for men, women, and families across the Nation, and would disproportionately impact low-income individuals."
From This Veto — to the Election
As we take a moment to thank President Obama for his leadership, we are also faced with a stark reminder of what’s at stake in the coming election. Without a president who cares about access to health care, without a leader who stands with Planned Parenthood patients, this bill would become law.
That would mean 17.6 million Americans blocked from care. It would also mean Planned Parenthood patients across the country would be denied access to the doctors they trust.
We can’t afford to let that happen, and neither can the women, men, and young people who are counting on us. That’s why we’re getting involved in this election so early and throwing our weight behind the next unwavering champion for women’s health and rights – Hillary Clinton. We can’t wait until the fall to start doing the hard work of putting our next champion in the White House — that fight begins now.
Tags: Defunding, Election 2016, Hillary Clinton, President Barack Obama
