Planned Parenthood Grassroots Organizing Key in Downfall of ACA Repeal Bill
For Immediate Release: March 27, 2017
More than 122,000 phone calls to Members of Congress,
1,000 events across the country, & 712,000 petitions
Washington, DC –– Planned Parenthood grassroots organizing was a driving force in the downfall of the ACA repeal bill that House leaders ultimately pulled from vote consideration on March 24. The ACA repeal bill disproportionately impacts women and included provisions that blocked access to Planned Parenthood, gutted maternity coverage, and imposed a nationwide ban on abortion coverage. It was the worst legislation for women’s health in a generation, and people across the country turned out week after week to make their opposition to these dangerous policies known.
For months, an army of pink Planned Parenthood patients, supporters, and advocates held rallies in opposition to the bill outside their representatives district offices, spoke out at Congressional town halls, called their representatives, and delivered petitions at member offices.
Over the last several months:
Planned Parenthood supporters made more than 122,000 phone calls to members of Congress.
Planned Parenthood supporters organized more than 1,000 events across the country, including rallies, petition drops, phone banks and marches.
Planned Parenthood supporters delivered more than 712,000 petitions to members of Congress opposing “defunding” Planned Parenthood.
That outpouring reached a fever pitch last week as Speaker Ryan and President Trump continued to negotiate away women’s health, and continued Friday and Saturday with rallies across the country.
Last week alone, Planned Parenthood supporters, patients and advocates rallied in opposition to the bill in 60 events in the following Representative’s district office:
Rep. Susan Brooks (IN-05)
Rep. Larry Bucshon (IN-08)
Rep. Barbara Comstock (VA-10)
Rep. Ryan Costello (PA-06)
Rep. Cramer (ND-AL)
Rep. Jeff Denham (CA-10)
Rep. Dan Donovan (NY-11)
Rep. John Faso (NY-19)
Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-8)
Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (NJ-11)
Rep. Darrell Issa (CA-49)
Rep. John Katko (NY-24)
Rep. Leonard Lance (NJ-7)
Rep. Martha McSally (AZ-02)
Rep. Patrick Meehan (PA-7)
Rep. Erik Paulsen (MN-03)
Rep. Bruce Poliquin (ME-02)
Rep. Tom Reed (NY-23)
Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (CA-48)
Rep. Peter Roskam (IL-06)
Rep. Ed Royce (CA-39)
Rep. Glenn Thompson (PA-05)
Rep. David Valadao (CA-21)
Rep. Mimi Walters (CA-45)
In addition, three polls in the last week show that Planned Parenthood is popular with 75% public support.
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On Thursday, Quinnipiac released a new poll showing that 80% of American voters are opposed to “defunding” Planned Parenthood when they understand that it actually means blocking patents who rely on Medicaid from accessing preventive and essential health care.
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Earlier this week, a PerryUndem poll that show 74% of voters – including 57% of Trump voters – oppose actions that would prohibit women from accessing birth control, well-woman care, and cancer screenings at Planned Parenthood.
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Last week, a poll by the Kaiser Family Foundation showed 75% of Americans, including majorities of both Republican women and Republican men, support federal Medicaid reimbursement for Planned Parenthood.
Roundup of articles on Planned Parenthood rallies this week:
Washington Post: Left out of AHCA fight, Democrats let their grass roots lead — and win
WGN: Demonstrators march in Chicago, relieved health care bill was pulled
WRSP (IL): ACA Supporters Rally Outside Sen. Duckworth's Office
Reno Gazette Journal: Reno protesters rally against Obamacare replacement bill
WCSH: Supporters of Planned Parenthood celebrate canceled AHCA vote
10 News (CA): San Diegans Rally to Support Planned Parenthood
KPBS (CA): Hundreds Rally For Planned Parenthood In Balboa Park
The Desert Sun: Planned Parenthood celebrates victory, however brief
WGME: Protesters celebrate withdrawal of healthcare bill
Times Herald-Record: Faso protest in Kingston turns into a celebration
KFGO ND): Protesters urge Cramer not to defund Planned Parenthood
WVIK (IN): Lawmakers, Activists React To Cancelled Health Care Vote
ABC 30: Planned Parenthood Proponents Gather in Downtown Hanford in Support of Obamacare
WSSH: Supporters of Planned Parenthood celebrate canceled AHCA vote
Norwich Bulletin: Planned Parenthood cuts would hurt Windham County
KESQ (CA): Dozens rally in support of Planned Parenthood in Palm Springs
San Diego Reader: Planned Parenthood march against Obamacare repeal
12 News (AZ): Planned Parenthood supporters claim Affordable Care Act victory
Fox 11 (CA): Planned Parenthood held rally in response to demise of GOP healthcare bill
KVRR (ND): Planned Parenthood Rally Outside Rep. Kevin Cramer’s Office
Inside NoVa: Rep. Barbara Comstock backs away from Republican healthcare bill as leaders pull legislation
Dallas News: Texas Republican faces political quandary in do-or-die GOP health care bill vote
Long Island Press: Obamacare Advocates to Rally Outside Rep. Peter King’s Office
CBS Philly: Protesters Spoke Out Against Health Care Vote At Rep. Meehan’s Offices
WSCH: Obamacare Support Rally in Lewiston
KFGO: Protesters urge Cramer not to defund Planned Parenthood
Palm Beach Post: Obamacare Advocates Rally Against Trumpcare In West Palm Beach
Valley News: Supporters of Planned Parenthood Planning to Rally on Friday
CBS8: Protesters rally to save Planned Parenthood funding
In Forum: Planned Parenthood Supporters To Rally Friday Outside Cramer's Fargo Office
KHTS (CA): Planned Parenthood Plans Rally For Santa Clarita Skate Park Saturday
Chicago Sun Times: Hundreds rally, march downtown to decry American Health Care Act
KJZZ: Planned Parenthood Rallies Planned To Protest ACA Repeal
Photos below from Some of the Protest Rallies This Week Outside Member Offices
Close to 100 Planned Parenthood supporters crammed into Rep. Barbara Comstock’s (VA-10) office and into the hallway. Four patients spoke out. Several hours later Comstock announced she was a “NO” vote.
Over 75 people showed up to rally outside of Representative Fitzpatricks’ office—with 5 people going in every few minutes to drop off letters of support of Planned Parenthood.
Planned Parenthood Southern Finger Lakes protested outside of Rep. Tom Reed’s office (NY-23) the demand that he vote to protect access to care at Planned Parenthood.
In Chicago, IL, Planned Parenthood, SEIU, and other progressive organizations in Chicago area rallied to fight back against attempts to repeal the ACA and “defund” Planned Parenthood.
In Florida, Planned Parenthood volunteers gathered at MLK Jr. Memorial Park across from Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach County for a speak out.
In North Dakota, Planned Parenthood supporters wearing pink chanted “I stand with Planned Parenthood,” calling on Rep. Kevin Cramer protect access to health care.
In Minnesota, Planned Parenthood supporters delivered 5,626 swabs - used for cancer screenings and STD testing - to Erik Paulsen’s district office (MN-03) to represent each constituent who relies on Medicaid coverage to receive preventative care at Planned Parenthood health centers.
Dozens rallied at Rep. Patrick Meehan’s office (PA-7) to demand he protect their access to health care.
Over 150 Planned Parenthood supporters and patients took to the streets in Kingston, NY and rallied at Rep. John Faso’s office to protest blocking health care access for Planned Parenthood patients.
Over a hundred people rallied outside of Rep. Darrell Issa’s (CA-49) office, calling on him to protect women’s access to preventive care at Planned Parenthood health centers.
Outside of Rep. Dana Rohrabacher’s (CA-48) office, over a hundred Planned Parenthood supporters demanded he not take their health care away.
Planned Parenthood supporters gathered outside Rep. Ed Royce’s (CA-39) office yesterday.