Rep. Keith Ellison Statement on Republican Attempts to Defund Planned Parenthood

Statement

Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) released the following statement today after voting against the Women's Health and Public Safety Act (H.R. 3495), which would allow states to prevent women from using Medicaid with health care providers that offer abortions as one of their services:

"The Women's Health and Public Safety Act threatens women's health and women's safety. Millions of women rely on healthcare providers like Planned Parenthood for preventive and primary care. Targeting healthcare providers through Medicaid is no less than an attempt to limit women's access to reproductive health services. This would result in a dangerous, widespread loss of access to health care for low-income Americans who are enrolled in Medicaid.

"Republicans who want to deny care to millions of low-income women and families have made it clear that this bill is not about improving women's care, but about scoring political points. The best way Congress can protect women's health and safety is to start respecting their choices and stop playing politics with their bodies."

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