What’s The Difference? All 2016 Republican Candidates Have the Same Plan: Slash Women’s Health, Roll Back LGBTQ Rights, Rip Immigrant Families Apart

Washington, DC –– Tonight we saw Marco Rubio, Ted Cruz, Donald Trump, and John Kasich lay out a clear, and horrifying, plan for America ---- one that would eliminate women’s access to health care, strip rights away from LGBTQ people, and increase discrimination and racial disparity in this country.

Statement from Dawn Laguens, Executive Vice President, Planned Parenthood Action Fund:

“All the shouting in the world can’t muddle the Republican message tonight. Each Republican candidate would attack the progress we’ve made for women, for LGBTQ people and for communities of color in this country. Everyone on stage has doubled down on making abortion illegal, and would block women across the country from turning to Planned Parenthood for birth control, cancer screenings, and STI testing and treatment. Every candidate on stage affirmed they support discrimination against LGTBQ Americans. And when Marco Rubio was asked about the tragedy in Flint, Michigan, he refused to even acknowledge the situation –– and only criticized Democrats for politicizing it.

“These positions are flat out rejected by the American people. We need a president who will move us forward –– not one who is determined to take us back.”

14 national polls have shown widespread popular support for Planned Parenthood and the care it provides — and strong opposition to attempts to block patients from accessing care at the nonprofit health care provider.

Here are the facts:

Every Republican Candidate Has the Same Plan For Women: block access to care

Trump said he does “not support” allowing patients who rely on federal programs for health care to access services at Planned Parenthood: Trump dismissed Cruz’s accusations that he supports abortion rights and opposes gun rights as false. ‘I am pro-life and I do not support taxpayer funding for Planned Parenthood as long as they are performing abortions,’ he said in the statement. ‘I am also a strong advocate of the [National Rifle Association], as are my sons.” [The Hill,2/17/16]
Ted Cruz wants to cut access to health care at Planned Parenthood -- threatening millions
- He’d rather shut down the government then allow Planned Parenthood patients -- many of whom are low-income and have no other options -- receive access to birth control, cancer screenings, and STI testing and treatment.
John Kasich has decimated women’s health care in Ohio
- Governor Kasich said Republicans should “fight like crazy” to end funding for Planned Parenthood. [Newsmax, 9/28/15]
- Just last month, Governor Kasich signed a bill to prohibit the state from contracting with Planned Parenthood: “Ohio Gov. John Kasich signed a bill Sunday prohibiting the state from contracting for health services with any organization that performs or promotes abortions, blocking government funds to Planned Parenthood.
- Planned Parenthood isn't explicitly named in the legislation, but the law will prevent more than $1 million in funding from the state health department from going to the nonprofit to fund programs such as HIV testing, health screenings and prevention of violence against women.” [CNN, 2/22/16]
Marco Rubio has voted multiple times to defund Planned Parenthood:

Con. Res. 36,4/14/11; Roll Call Vote 36, H.R. 1,3/9/11; Roll Call Vote 262, S. 1881,8/3/15; S. Amdt 2669 to H.J. Res. 61, Roll Call Vote 270,9/24/15; H.R. 3762, Roll Call Vote 329,12/3/15]
- Rubio said he would “immediately” sign a bill to defund Planned Parenthood if elected president.