Another GOP Assault on Women's Health Care

Speaker Boehner and Congressional Republicans have spearheaded their next manufactured crisis: cripple and defund Planned Parenthood's services essential to millions of women of all backgrounds from across the country.  That erroneous quest of theirs, however, has deep consequences:

National Journal:

…there is no guarantee that redirecting funding to other health organizations will fill the resulting gap in community women's health services.

…The vast majority of services offered by Planned Parenthood—which are used by 2.7 million people each year—are preventive, including birth control, cancer screenings, treatment and testing for sexually transmitted infections, and well-woman exams.

…many health centers give referrals for select contraceptive methods, according to a study by George Washington University examining women's health.  Only 19 percent of health centers reported that their largest sites both prescribe and dispense delivery of all methods of contraception on-site.

Washington Post:

Defunding Planned Parenthood would inevitably result in more unplanned pregnancies and therefore more abortions, not fewer.  In fact, if you really want to reduce the number of abortions, you should be lobbying to increase funding for Planned Parenthood and other organizations that provide birth control.

The videos…do not justify the irrational response of eliminating funding that helps millions of women stay healthy and avoid unwanted pregnancies.

The Hill:

…even members of McConnell's party have their doubts that community health centers and other public health groups could fill the gap.

"The problem is, in my state and many others, Planned Parenthood is the primary provider of women's health services in certain parts of my state," said Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine)…

Earlier this year, House Republicans targeted federal funding that provides essential services to low-income women.  The GOP's newest assault against women is not only outrageous but it's a desperate stunt to make Americans turn a blind eye to the dysfunction, distraction and obstruction that dominated the summer session of the so-called ‘New American Congress.'

This fact-hiding scheme is so disgraceful that they're prepared to shut down the government – again.  As the Washington Post Editorial best said: Republicans are painting "an inaccurate and unfair picture of a health organization that provides valuable services to women…"