The Quickie: PP Honors Senator Dianne Feinstein

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: PP honors the life of Sen. Dianne Feinstein, House GOP votes on reproductive health restrictions, and Montana judge delays abortion clinic restrictions.

IN HONOR OF SENATOR DIANNE FEINSTEIN: Alexis McGill Johnson, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, released the following statement on the passing of California Senator Dianne Feinstein: 

“I am heartbroken to hear of the passing of Senator Feinstein. She was a trailblazer and champion for gender equity and sexual and reproductive health and rights. She dedicated her career to fighting for women’s equality and was at the forefront of advocating for progress. Her legacy and impact cannot be overstated — and Planned Parenthood will be forever grateful for her service and leadership. Our hearts are with her family, friends, and staff during this challenging time.”

Jodi Hicks, CEO & President of Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California said: 

“On behalf of Planned Parenthood in California, and really all Planned Parenthood affiliates across the country, I extend our deepest condolences to the Senator’s family, friends, staff, and all who she inspired. Planned Parenthood has nothing but profound gratitude and appreciation for Senator Feinstein’s decades of service and leadership, and certainly the trailblazing path she created for women in politics. Senator Feinstein was a steadfast champion for California and showed the nation what it meant to lead with principle and purpose.

“Over the years, she stood strongly alongside Planned Parenthood, providers, and patients to protect the right of women and others to control their bodies and make decisions about their futures. For that, Planned Parenthood, and so many others, our deeply grateful. She leaves behind a true legacy to be honored and admired by all.”

 

HOUSE GOP VOTES ON MORE ABORTION RESTRICTIONS: In the middle of the night, House Republicans voted on stand-alone appropriations bills that include more sexual and reproductive health care restrictions, including on abortion and gender-affirming care. The votes DO NOT bring them any closer to funding the federal government as the bills are dead on arrival in the Senate. The appropriations bills included measures to add medically unnecessary restrictions to medication abortion, restrict access to abortion for servicemembers and their families, and permanently enforce the harmful global gag rule. Alexis McGill Johnson, president of Planned Parenthood Action Fund, released the following statement: 

“Right before a potential government shutdown, anti-abortion politicians decided the best use of their time would be to vote on a round of government funding bills in the House that attack sexual and reproductive health care, including abortion and gender-affirming care – while doing absolutely nothing to avert the crisis we are facing. They are willing to cause chaos in order to achieve their extreme agenda and control our personal health care decisions. It’s reckless and irresponsible. We deserve better.”  

 

MONTANA JUDGE DELAYS ENFORCEMENT OF ABORTION CLINIC RESTRICTIONS: Yesterday, a district judge in Montana agreed to delay a provision of a law that would require abortion clinics in the state to obtain a license from the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS). The law also directs the DPHHS to create regulations for how the clinics are operated, such as staff qualifications and the layout of the clinic. However, the DPHHS has yet to announce their rules, meaning clinics have no way of complying with them yet.

Two abortion clinics in the state, Blue Mountain Clinic in Missoula and All Families Healthcare in Whitefish, sued over the provision on the basis that it targets abortion providers by creating unnecessary barriers that other private health care practices are not subject to. With this uncertainty, a judge has set a hearing for October 30 to decide whether a preliminary injunction should be granted.

Read more in The Missoula Current