Planned Parenthood Champions Attend Legislative Summit

L-R: Speaker Sara Gideon, Rep. Heather Sanborn, Senator Cathy Breen, PPFA President Cecile Richards, Rep. Rachel Talbot-Ross, PPMEAF VP of Public Policy Nicole Clegg, Rep. Jay McCreight

Portland, Maine –– Five Maine lawmakers attended a Planned Parenthood legislative summit on sexual and reproductive health care this week to increase their knowledge of Planned Parenthood’s services and receiving training on trends and policies in sexual and reproductive health.

“More than 10,000 patients visit a Planned Parenthood health center in Maine each year,” said Nicole Clegg, Vice President of Public Policy for the Planned Parenthood Maine Action Fund. “With continued and renewed attacks against women’s health, Planned Parenthood, and quality, affordable sexual and reproductive health care, Maine women are lucky to have these legislative champions fighting for Planned Parenthood and reproductive health.”

All the legislators have 100% ratings from Planned Parenthood Maine Action Fund for their 2017 voting records.

Speaker Sara Gideon of Freeport is the Speaker of the House and has been a strong supporter of Planned Parenthood throughout her legislative career. She spoke at the We Are Planned Parenthood rally in Portland in single-digit temperatures in February.

Senator Cathy Breen of Yarmouth serves on the state’s budget-writing committee and sponsored LD 1259, an equal pay bill supported and scored by the Planned Parenthood Maine Action Fund.

Representative Jay McCreight of Harpswell sponsored LD 1237, Maine’s landmark birth control bill which requires insurance companies to cover up to 12 months of contraception at one time.

Representative Heather Sanborn of Portland serves on the Insurance and Financial Affairs Committee and was instrumental in advancing LD 1237, the 12-month birth control bill. The bill also codifies access to no copay birth control in Maine law.

Representative Rachel Talbot-Ross of Portland serves on the Criminal Justice and Public Safety committee and is working with Planned Parenthood of Northern New England to deepen health center services and advocacy efforts in communities of color.

Planned Parenthood remains popular across the country and in Maine where three out of four voters support Planned Parenthood.

“When politicians threaten Planned Parenthood, they are threatening basic health care for the millions of men and women and young people who rely on Planned Parenthood for care,” said Clegg. “For many patients, Planned Parenthood is their only access to care. It is critical Planned Parenthood patients have champions like Speaker Gideon, Senator Breen, Representative Sanborn, and Representative Talbot-Ross to fight for their right to access quality, affordable health care.”

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