FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - December 3, 2015
Contact: Audrey Sandusky, 202-293-3114 ext. 207

Senate Reconciliation Package Threatens Health Care Access

Statement from Clare Coleman, President & CEO of the National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association (NFPRHA)

WASHINGTON, DC – “NFPRHA is very disappointed in Senate passage of the budget reconciliation package, which excludes Planned Parenthood from participating in the Medicaid program for one year, dismantles key components of the Affordable Care Act, and includes a provision that phases out the Medicaid expansion, which has allowed millions of poor and low-income individuals to access to health coverage and care.

“This bill would threaten access to health care for millions of women and men in desperate need of high-quality services while also crippling the safety-net family planning provider network on which millions of these vulnerable individuals rely. By seeking to exclude Planned Parenthood, anti-family planning members of Congress are attacking a high-quality, trusted health care provider purely for ideological reasons. 

“The reconciliation bill would also eliminate financial subsidies available under the health law. For many women, affordable health coverage and access to preventive care, including contraception, breast and cervical cancer screenings, and well woman visits, are only made possible because of insurance subsidies and the expansion of Medicaid. Without access to affordable, high-quality health care, these women are more vulnerable to illness and disease and at a greater risk of unintended pregnancy and poor birth outcomes, all of which have high personal costs and translate into increased expense across the entire health care system.

“These harmful measures would severely compromise the publicly funded family planning network and undo tremendous progress made to improve access to affordable, quality health care in this country.”

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NFPRHA is a membership organization representing providers and administrators committed to helping people get the family planning education and care they need to make the best choices for themselves and their loved ones. NFPRHA works to enhance the ability of thousands of nurse practitioners, doctors, and other health professionals to provide high-quality family planning care through training and advocacy. For more information, visit nationalfamilyplanning.org.