The Quickie: House Leadership Continues To Attack Sexual And Reproductive Health

Welcome to “The Quickie” — Planned Parenthood Action Fund’s daily tipsheet on the top health care & reproductive rights stories of the day. You can read “The Quickie'' online here.

In today’s Quickie: PPFA’s joint statement regarding house leadership’s LHHS bill, Alaskans fight to expand abortion access, and a reminder that Trump has a terrible abortion track record.

PLANNED PARENTHOOD FEDERATION OF AMERICA JOINS NEARLY 40 ORGANIZATIONS IN JOINT STATEMENT ON HOUSE LEADERSHIP’S LHHS BILL - “THE LHHS BILL IS A NON-STARTER”: Just days ahead of a possible government shutdown, the anti-abortion House majority plans to vote on the fiscal year (FY’24) Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies appropriations bill. This bill slashes funding for health programs and includes a host of poison pill riders attacking access to sexual and reproductive health care, including abortion. These cuts are deeply unpopular as the majority of Americans support protecting access to sexual and reproductive health care.

“House Majority leadership has shown us again that they would rather force through their dangerous agenda than govern,” the groups shared in a statement. “The people support protecting access to sexual and reproductive health care, including abortion. And yet, the House majority insists on bringing this extreme bill to the floor for a vote just days ahead of a possible government shutdown, knowing full well that it has no pathway to passage in the Senate. This should be a non-starter. If they truly care about funding the government, they’d stop using this crucial appropriations process to attack sexual and reproductive health care.” 

Read the full statement here.

 

ALASKANS GO TO COURT TO EXPAND ABORTION ACCESS: Yesterday, a trial began in Alaska to strike down a state law that bans qualified medical professionals from providing abortion. The ban prevents advanced practice clinicians (APCs) — such as physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and certified nurse midwives — from providing both medication and aspiration abortion, even though it is in the scope of their practice. This APC ban is the only law in Alaska that targets the type of care APCs can provide. 

“Every person in Alaska deserves the freedom to seek abortion from trusted health care providers in their own community,” said Rebecca Gibron, CEO of Planned Parenthood Great Northwest, Hawai’i, Alaska, Indiana, Kentucky (PPGNHAIK). “Allowing advanced practice clinicians to provide abortion will ensure that patients are able to better access the time-sensitive care they need. We are hopeful that this court will again rule in favor of reproductive freedom and permanently block this outdated and medically unnecessary restriction.” 

The APC ban, blocked under a preliminary injunction since 2021, limits abortion access for people in Alaska and directly contradicts guidance from all leading medical organizations,  which makes clear that APCs should be able to provide this medical procedure. These providers are a critical source of health care, especially in rural areas of the state where access may otherwise be limited, and they safely provide abortion in other states. 

The lawsuit, brought on behalf of Planned Parenthood Great Northwest, Hawai’i, Alaska, Indiana, Kentucky (PPGNHAIK), was initially filed in 2019. PPGNHAIK is represented by Planned Parenthood Federation of America, ACLU of Alaska, Legal Voice, and Stoel Rives LLP. 

Read the full statement here.
 

REMINDER FROM PLANNED PARENTHOOD VOTES:  In case anyone or any media outlet has somehow forgotten Trump’s terrible record on abortion, Planned Parenthood Votes is here to set things straight. But don’t take it from us. Listen to Trump in his own words. 

Trump at a CNN town hall: “But the fact that I was able to terminate Roe v. Wade, after 50 years of trying – they worked for 50 years. I’ve never seen anything like it. They worked – and I was even – I was so honored to have done it.” 

Trump when asked about a national abortion ban: “We’ll get something done…” 

Trump at the Faith and Freedom Coalition Conference: "There of course remains a vital role for the federal government in protecting unborn life."

Trump at a MSNBC town hall: MATTHEWS: Do you believe in punishment for abortion, yes or no as a principle? TRUMP: The answer is that there has to be some form of punishment. MATTHEWS: For the woman?  TRUMP: Yeah, there has to be some form. 
 

Paid for in part by Planned Parenthood Votes, 123 William St, NY NY 10038. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.