Planned Parenthood Statement on Committee Hearing on H.R. 3, Chris Smith's Anti-Choice Bill

Statement by Cecile Richards, President of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, on Judiciary Subcommittee Hearing on H.R. 3:

“Today’s Judiciary Subcommittee hearing on H.R. 3, Chris Smith’s anti-choice bill, makes it absolutely clear that this extreme bill designed to take health care away from women goes far beyond current law. It also confirms that the House leadership, which is touting this dangerous bill, is out of touch with Americans who elected a new Congress to fix the economy, not to take away health care benefits and rights women currently have.

“H.R. 3 is a radical bill that would take away comprehensive private health insurance coverage that millions of women have today. This bill is so extreme that it would deny private coverage of abortion to women who face serious health problems from a pregnancy; impose new tax penalties on individuals and small businesses that purchase private health insurance that covers abortion; and take away existing coverage protections for women with life-threatening pregnancies. We urge the House to drop this radical bill immediately and to focus on what the American people want — jobs and economic growth.”
 

Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leading sexual and reproductive health care provider and advocate. We believe that everyone has the right to choose when or whether to have a child, and that every child should be wanted and loved. Planned Parenthood affiliates operate nearly 800 health centers nationwide, providing medical services and sexuality education for millions of women, men, and teenagers each year. We also work with allies worldwide to ensure that all women and men have the right and the means to meet their sexual and reproductive health care needs.