Planned Parenthood Action Fund Responds to President Bush’s State of the Union

Calls for New Direction in Women’s Reproductive Health Care

Planned Parenthood Action Fund President Cecile Richards issued the following statement in response to the President's State of the Union address this evening:

“The State of the Union for women’s reproductive health under President Bush is dismal. President Bush continues to lead this country in the wrong direction, and women, families and teens are paying the price. For the first time in 14 years the teen birth rate has risen, yet President Bush says nothing to address this issue. President Bush’s administration has wasted more than $1 billion on dangerous abstinence-only programs, yet he continues to pour money into these ineffective programs that do nothing to help prevent teen pregnancy. At every turn, the Bush administration has put politics above medicine when it comes to the health of women and families and attacked women's access to reproductive health care.

“It’s time for new leadership in a new direction from a new president.

“We look forward to the election of a new president in November, one who will work with Planned Parenthood to promote proven prevention measures, such as access to family planning and teaching comprehensive sex education.

“Last week, the Planned Parenthood Action Fund launched its One Million Strong campaign to bring one million Planned Parenthood supporters to the polls. We can make a difference in this election, and by turning out one million supporters we will elect a president who puts women’s reproductive health care at the top of the agenda.”