President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris Will Be Reproductive Health Care Champions for Everyone
CALIFORNIA — In an incredible victory for Planned Parenthood supporters up and down California, and all who believe in sexual and reproductive health for all, President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris have won this election.
Statement from Jodi Hicks, President/CEO, Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California
“As we celebrate today, including the election of California’s very own leader and champion Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris, we are beginning a new chapter: one where we take full control of our bodies, our rights, our democracy, and our futures. The work is just beginning, because our fight to protect and expand health care for Planned Parenthood supporters in California and across the country, patients, and global partners cannot let up for even a moment. Voters’ voices were loud and clear, and they elected a new president who is fully committed to protecting access to sexual and reproductive health care — including access to abortion. President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Harris have been steadfast champions for reproductive rights and health care. We are thrilled to see these leaders elected to the two highest offices in this country.
“For so many, today is filled not just with joy, but with relief. Relief that the atrocities of the Trump administration will end. We’re ready to begin the work of healing. Together, we’re building a more equitable future for all people. Workers are demanding they be treated as essential every day. Young people are the emerging majority calling for progress. Black people and people of color are demanding revolutionary change — today. And women know we decide elections. It’s time for the Biden administration to begin delivering on its promises, and Planned Parenthood Action Fund and the seven Planned Parenthood affiliates of California will be there every step of the way.”
The majority of the country sent a clear message in this election, demanding a more fair and just society with timely access to health care, including sexual and reproductive care.
Americans were clear about where they stood even before this election: nearly nine in 10 women in this country will use birth control in their lifetimes, 77% of Americans don’t want to see Roe v. Wade overturned, 70% of Americans favor ending the global gag rule, and a majority of young people — across political parties — support federal funding for abortions even though it is currently prohibited by the Hyde Amendment. And as the polls closed, they made themselves clear again.
Beyond reclaiming the White House for leaders who will fight for their health and rights and build a better future for all of us, the people harnessed the power of their ballots to send other powerful messages. We saw it up and down cities and towns in California, with Planned Parenthood advocacy and political organizations in California helping elect champions to every level of government this year—local, county, state, and now, President.
Upon taking office, the Biden administration must end the global and domestic gag rules so that health care providers and patients can speak freely about all reproductive health care options; propose a budget that reflects a commitment to sexual and reproductive health — including ending the Hyde and Helms amendments; nominate reproductive health champions to executive branch positions and judicial seats; and more. A coalition of bold, progressive organizations developed “First Priorities for the Blueprint for Sexual and Reproductive Health, Rights, and Justice,” a detailed list of executive and agency actions that we expect the Biden administration to get to work on immediately.
Beyond reproductive health, the new administration will have work to do across all policy areas. We need to truly protect people against the health and economic consequences of COVID-19 with comprehensive relief. We need to truly reckon with systemic racism, injustice, and state-sanctioned violence in this country; our new leaders have a mandate to take serious, action-oriented steps that move our society towards equity — in health care and beyond. We need comprehensive and robust democracy reform to restore the Voting Rights Act, grant Washington, D.C. statehood, and more. The list is long but Planned Parenthood Action Fund and Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California will be there to hold this administration accountable for its promises to the American people every step of the way.
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Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California (PPAC) is the state public policy office representing California’s seven separately incorporated Planned Parenthood affiliates. Through advocacy and electoral action, PPAC promotes sound public policy in areas of sexual and reproductive health care and sex education.