Planned Parenthood Action Fund Statement on Gingrich Campaign TV Ad Referencing Planned Parenthood
For Immediate Release: May 11, 2012
The Newt Gingrich campaign is out with a TV ad attacking Mitt Romney for putting Planned Parenthood on a Massachusetts health advisory board.
View ad HERE.
Below, please find a statement from Planned Parenthood Action Fund in response to the Gingrich campaign TV ad:
“When the Republican presidential candidates are sparring over Planned Parenthood, a trusted health care provider for 1 in 5 women, being on a health advisory board, it’s another sign of how the Republican presidential primary is a race to see which candidate is the worst for women’s health.”
BACKGROUND FACTS:
The Massachusetts health care legislation sets up a MassHealth payment policy advisory board of 16 members, consisting of the MA secretary of health and human services, the commissioner of health care financing and policy, and 12 members from local health care organizations:
Massachusetts Hospital Association
Massachusetts Medical Society
Massachusetts Extended Care Federation
Mass Aging Services Association
Home Care Alliance of Massachusetts
Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Corporations of Massachusetts
Massachusetts Medicaid Policy Institute
Massachusetts Association of Behavioral Health Systems
Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts
2 members appointed by the governor, 1 member representing managed care organizations contracting with MassHealth and 1 member being an expert in medical payment methodologies from a foundation or academic institution.
The advisory board is charged with reviewing, evaluating and providing recommendations on rates and payment systems.
Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts provides basic and preventive health care to nearly 35,000 patients in Massachusetts.
With Planned Parenthood serving as a trusted health care provider to 1 in 5 women in America, it’s not a surprise that a Planned Parenthood affiliate is a part of this advisory board.