Cecile Richards, Planned Parenthood Patients from the Hudson Valley Highlight Impact of "Defunding"

KINGSTON, NY- Tonight at the Kingston Planned Parenthood health center, Planned Parenthood patients and president Cecile Richards shared what is at stake if extreme politicians continue their assault on access to care at Planned Parenthood.

Planned Parenthood Action Fund President Cecile Richards joined Ruth-Ellen Blodgett, President & CEO, Planned Parenthood Mid-Hudson Valley Action Fund, three Planned Parenthood patients, and a Planned Parenthood provider to highlight the devastating impact Congressional Republicans proposal to block access to care at Planned Parenthood would have in New York. In New York, over 180,000 people rely on Planned Parenthood health centers for care, including cancer screenings, birth control, STD testing and treatment, well woman exams, and safe, legal abortion. Over half of those patients are covered by Medicaid and would be blocked from their care at Planned Parenthood if Planned Parenthood is “defunded.”

“As someone who has insurance through Medicaid, my ability to continue seeing the health care provider I know and trust is on the line,” said Jasmine Shea from Albany. “My health care is not a political game.It should not matter who you are or where you live or what kind of insurance you have - every single person should be able to make their own decisions about their health care.”

“If Planned Parenthood hadn’t been there for me, I might not be here today,” said Heather Kamin from Middleburg. “I know I am not the only woman who can say that. There is no dedicated women’s health practice in my county - and we need access to timely, affordable and expert care. We need Planned Parenthood.”

“My whole life, as I moved across states and cities building my career, I relied on Planned Parenthood for expert, affordable reproductive health care,” said Kelly Merchant of High Falls. I’m supporting the many women and men in my life who rely on Planned Parenthood for care. That’s who politicians should be listening to - so I hope they can hear me today.”

Congressional Republicans like John Faso are mounting the biggest attack on women’s health in a generation, including attempts to defund Planned Parenthood. For many patients in Faso’s district, Planned Parenthood is their only health care provider. The four Planned Parenthood health centers in Faso’s district serve nearly 8,000 of Rep. Faso’s constituents. And in four counties in his district (Columbia, Delaware, Rennsaler, Sullivan)  there are no other safety net family planning providers outside of Planned Parenthood. That means if extreme politicians in Congress succeeds in their attacks on Planned Parenthood, thousands of Faso’s own constituents and thousands of New Yorkers would lose access to their basic health care.

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