Republican Lawmakers Reject Proposal to Protect Birth Control Coverage for One Million Minnesotans

St. Paul, MN – April 26, 2018, Republicans in the Minnesota Senate defeated a proposal to ensure that no-cost birth control coverage remains secure in Minnesota.

“The Trump Administration is threatening to take away birth control from women in our state and across the country,” said Sarah Stoesz, President of the Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota Action Fund. “The Protect Access to Contraception (PAC) Act would have protected the right to no-cost birth control in Minnesota.”

The measure would have protected no-cost birth control coverage in Minnesota from further attacks by the Trump Administration and guaranteed the basic right of people in Minnesota to control their own bodies, plan their families and access the birth control method that is right for them, regardless of cost and free of political interference.

“Birth control is basic health care. Democrats and Republicans used to agree on that,” added Stoesz. “In fact, the nation’s largest family planning program was started by Republicans in 1970. Yet, today, Republican lawmakers refuse to take common-sense steps to protect birth control access.”

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Founded in 1992, the Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota Action Fund is an independent, non-partisan, non-profit organization. As the advocacy and electoral arm of PPMNS, we mobilize supporters of all parties to defend and increase access to family planning services and fact based, medically accurate sexuality education. We work to inspire and engage citizens to take up the cause of reproductive health and rights through education, electoral activity, grassroots organizing and legislative advocacy.