Correcting the Enrollment of H.R. 1473

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to this resolution.

Millions of Americans across the country rely on Planned Parenthood as their only source of medical care. More than 90 percent of the care that Planned Parenthood provides in our communities is primary and preventive services. Such care keeps our communities healthier, and keeps health care costs down.

However, my colleagues on the other side of the aisle are attempting to misrepresent federal funding for Planned Parenthood as federal subsidization of abortions. Federal law already prohibits federal dollars from funding abortions. And today's resolution would take funds from cancer screenings, birth control, HIV testing, and other life saving care.

It would effectively cripple the largest provider of reproductive health services in our country and it would take funding away from health care that primarily serves low-income Americans. It would take away health care services from women in my hometown. Women like Kari.

Kari shared with me that she did not have health insurance when she went to Planned Parenthood to receive a free cancer screening. The screening showed that Kari had cervical cancer. But Planned Parenthood--in addition to offering the free screening--continued to provide Kari free care through subsequent visits. Today, Kari is a cancer survivor.

Without Planned Parenthood's services Kari's story could have had a very different ending. And while this Congress should be working to improve access to health care services to help millions of men and women just like Kari, this resolution does just the opposite. Today's resolution is an attack on women, on low-income Americans, on community health centers, and on primary care.

I urge my colleagues to oppose this harmful bill.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source