Greg Gianforte Would “Defund” Planned Parenthood & Block Montanans From Birth Control

Helena, MT –– Today, GOP candidate Greg Gianforte and Democratic candidate Rob Quist had a MT-AL special election debate with the Helena Independent Record editorial board. When asked whether he supports "defunding" Planned Parenthood, GOP candidate Greg Gianforte said "Yes, I would." Additionally, Gianforte made clear that he is anti-abortion, with no exceptions for rape or incest.

“Defunding” Planned Parenthood would be disastrous and would jeopardize access to health care for the nearly 15,000 patients who rely on Planned Parenthood each year in Montana. Defunding would block access to birth control, cancer screenings, and STI testing that thousands rely on. Nearly half of Planned Parenthood Montana’s patients are uninsured or receive public assistance.

Quote from Rachel Pauli, Organizing and Outreach Manager, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Montana:

When Greg Gianforte says he would ‘defund’ Planned Parenthood, what he’s really saying is that he would block Montanans from accessing affordable birth control and cancer screenings. “Defunding” Planned Parenthood would leave thousands of Montanans with nowhere else to go for their health care. We need to elect Rob Quist who will be a champion for women and fight to protect against any attempts to block Montanans from their health care

Greg Gianforte does not stand with Montana women. Public records show that Gianforte has contributed thousands of dollars to misleading crisis pregnancy centers and groups that promote abstinence-only education. It has also been reported that Gianforte has helped fund anti-abortion campaigns and lobbied against an LGBT nondiscrimination ordinance.

Rob Quist understands that Montanans need more access to health care, not less. That’s why he has promised to stand with Planned Parenthood and said that he “will oppose any efforts to ‘defund’” Planned Parenthood. Quist believes women should have the right and freedom to make their own health care decisions without government intrusion, and if elected he will support measures to close the wage gap and work to pass the Paycheck Fairness Act.

Planned Parenthood Action Fund launched a six-figure GOTV program in Montana in support of Rob Quist for the special election for Montana’s at-large congressional seat on May 25., the program will include a mail program that will reach 80,000 Montanans and paid phones that will reach 60,000 Montanans. With this launch, Planned Parenthood Action Fund is one of the early investors in this race.