Planned Parenthood Action Fund Supporters Organize More than 50 Events to Protest “Defund” Vote
For Immediate Release: May 5, 2017
Events Come as Group Launches Ad Campaign Targets Senators Flake, Gardner, and Heller, and to Hold Rep. Amodei & Rep. McSally Accountable for Votes to “Defund”
Washington, DC -- This weekend, Planned Parenthood supporters will be holding more than 50 protest events outside of House district offices across the country in response to yesterday’s vote to "defund" Planned Parenthood. These actions come after months of unprecedented outpouring of organizing, activism, and support for Planned Parenthood and against attacks on the beloved health care provider.
The events come as the Planned Parenthood Action Fund announced it will go up with an ad campaign that includes TV, radio, and digital ads focused on the impact of “defunding” Planned Parenthood. The campaign will both hold Representatives Amodei (NV-02) and McSally (AZ-02) accountable for their votes to “defund” Planned Parenthood, as well as urge Senators Jeff Flake (AZ), Corey Gardner (CO), and Dean Heller (NV) to protect access to health care for their constituents.
Quote from Dawn Laguens, Executive Vice President of Planned Parenthood Action Fund:
Yesterday, the House voted to ‘defund’ Planned Parenthood, in the worst bill for women’s health in a generation. This ACA repeal bill has drawn widespread opposition from medical experts, members of Congress from both parties in both houses, and a clear majority of the American voters. The U.S. Senate must stop this dangerous legislation from becoming law.
Just last week, Public Policy Polling conducted statewide surveys in Nevada and Arizona. Overall in Nevada, 60% of voters oppose “defunding” Planned Parenthood, and the majority of voters are less likely to support an elected official who would “defund” Planned Parenthood. Across Arizona, 56% of voters oppose “defunding” Planned Parenthood. The majority of Arizona voters are also less likely to support an elected official who would “defund” Planned Parenthood.
Members of Congress have already faced broad grassroots opposition in their home districts, at Town Halls and rallies outside their offices, because of their attempts to defund Planned Parenthood. Watch a video with some of the highlights, “100 Days of Resistance” here.
Not only is “defunding” Planned Parenthood incredibly unpopular, but it’s also dangerous. If enacted, prohibiting individuals from accessing preventive care at Planned Parenthood health centers would have a devastating impact on the 2.5 million people who rely on Planned Parenthood health centers for essential health services.
In March, the Congressional Budget Office estimated that the “defund” Planned Parenthood provision would result in reduced access to care for patients who live in areas where Planned Parenthood is the only health care option and where Planned Parenthood serves low-income populations. More than half of Planned Parenthood health centers are in health professional shortage areas, rural or medically underserved areas. Experts have repeatedly said that other providers cannot absorb Planned Parenthood’s patients.