Biden and Harris have strong records of fighting for reproductive rights and health care equity
St. Paul, MN — As we celebrate the inauguration of President Biden and Vice President Harris, we mark the beginning of a new era. President Biden has a long career of fighting for health care and reproductive rights. He led the effort to create the Affordable Care Act, spearheaded the Violence Against Women Act, and strongly supports the right to safe, legal abortion. Vice President Kamala Harris, as the first woman of color to hold the office, is also a champion for women’s health, health care equity and LGBTQ+ rights.
Statement from Sarah Stoesz, President of the Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota Action Fund:
“We are filled with hope and relief as we celebrate this redefining moment for our country. Today we say goodbye to the hate-filled, destructive, racist presidency of Donald Trump and we welcome President Biden and Vice President Harris—our country’s first woman and first person of color to serve in this role. Our new leaders are committed to the common good for all people and are unwavering champions for health care and reproductive freedom. They are ready to help heal our communities and make sure everyone in this country has the care they need.
“The Trump administration was relentless in attacking reproductive rights at home and abroad, and it will take time to rebuild these services, especially amid the global pandemic. We stand ready to partner with the Biden-Harris administration to deliver on its vision for change and justice—the Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota Action Fund will be there every step of the way.
“We are also proud to have helped fuel the growing grassroots movements across our region and the country, led by young people and communities of color; they are the heroes who made the Biden-Harris victory a reality. We have not seen this level of organized and effective activism in so many decades and it is such cause for great rejoicing today and for our road ahead.”
Americans were clear where they stood even before this election: nearly nine in 10 women in this country will use birth control in their lifetimes, 77 percent of Americans don’t want to see Roe v. Wade overturned and 70 percent of Americans favor ending the global gag rule. And as the polls closed, they made themselves clear again.
Upon taking office, the Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota Action Fund is calling on the Biden-Harris administration to immediately 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.
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. America’s new leaders have a mandate to take serious, action-oriented steps that move our society towards equity—in health care and beyond. The list is long, but Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota Action Fund will be there to hold this administration accountable for its promises to the American people.
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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.
Visit us at www.plannedparenthoodadvocate.org
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