Madison, Wis. – Twenty-eight state legislators in Wisconsin signed onto a letter calling on members of Congress to oppose efforts to “defund” Planned Parenthood. The House Republicans’ budget reconciliation bill includes provisions that would block patients on Medicaid from getting their care at Planned Parenthood health centers. In Wisconsin, over 50,000 patients relied on Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin (PPWI) health centers for care last year – from birth control and cancer screenings, to STI treatment and wellness visits. But if Congress succeeds in “defunding” Planned Parenthood, the impacts will be immediate and severe. “Defunding” Planned Parenthood would leave many of these patients without access to care.
The open letter, organized by the State Innovation Exchange, calls on members of Congress to oppose any effort to “defund” Planned Parenthood. The letter highlights the important role that Planned Parenthood health centers play in people’s lives and explains that the consequences of this bill would be catastrophic.
“Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin is an irreplaceable part of our health care system in Wisconsin,” said Tanya Atkinson, President and CEO of PPWI. “These lawmakers” understand that ‘defunding’ Planned Parenthood would shut down health centers and leave patients across our state without access to essential and affordable health care. We are proud to work alongside them to continue fighting relentlessly for access to affordable reproductive health care for all Wisconsinites.”
Here are the facts about Planned Parenthood health centers:
- One in three women have been to a Planned Parenthood health center for care, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation.
- Planned Parenthood is more popular than any elected official or party, and voters do not want politicians interfering in their health care.
- Nearly 8 in 10 (77%) voters oppose the Trump administration taking away funds used for birth control for people with low incomes at Planned Parenthood health centers. This includes 63% of Trump voters.
- Medicaid is widely popular with Americans across political lines.
- Nearly three-quarters of voters (73%) — including more than half of Trump voters (55%) — oppose Congress taking away funds from Planned Parenthood health centers for providing birth control, wellness exams, and cancer screenings.
- For many people, Planned Parenthood health centers are their only source of health care. Sixty-four percent of Planned Parenthood health centers across the country are in medically underserved areas, rural areas, or areas with health professional shortages. More than half of Planned Parenthood patients are enrolled in Medicaid.
“For many people, PPWI serves as an entry point into the healthcare system,” said Atkinson. “We provide our patients with exceptional, compassionate care, and we often serve as a connector to other healthcare or community resources to address needs. Communities and partners rely on PPWI’s care, education and advocacy to make sure that people have access to the critical healthcare they need to live their authentic lives.”
