Governor Malloy and Lieutenant Governor Wyman Pledge Support to Planned Parenthood of Southern New England
 

On Wednesday, June 28, 2017, Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy and Lieutenant Governor Nancy Wyman visited the Planned Parenthood of Southern New England (PPSNE) headquarters in New Haven, Conn. to meet with new PPSNE President and CEO Amanda Skinner and staff members. During the visit, both Malloy and Wyman pledged their continued support to the women’s reproductive health care provider.

Malloy and Wyman’s visit came amidst a backdrop of extreme politicians in Washington, D.C. attempting to pass legislation that would slash Medicaid, gut essential health benefits like maternity care, increase premiums and deductibles, and “defund” Planned Parenthood, which would block millions of people from receiving essential preventive health care services.

PPSNE provides care to more than 60,000 people across Connecticut – approximately half of whom rely on Medicaid coverage to access preventive care at Planned Parenthood like life-saving cancer screenings, birth control, and STI testing and treatment. “Defunding” Planned Parenthood would mean that people with Medicaid would no longer be able to access care at Planned Parenthood health centers. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) score released on June 26, 2017 on the Senate bill mirrors the previous CBO score and is totally clear that the “defunding” provision in Trumpcare singles out Planned Parenthood. It states that the “CBO identified only one organization that would be affected: Planned Parenthood Federation of America and its affiliates and clinics.” Singling out Planned Parenthood affirms that the purpose for including the “defund” Planned Parenthood provision in Trumpcare is not budgetary. Instead, it is to advance the political goal of preventing Planned Parenthood health centers from participating in the federal Medicaid program.

Shortly after the CBO score was released, the Senate bill was pulled from consideration on June 27, 2017.

“Senator McConnell delayed the vote on Trumpcare because of our supporters’ hard work – organizing in communities, calling Senators, and rallying in the streets. It’s no wonder they are struggling to get the votes: this is the worst bill for women’s health in a generation, and would devastate millions of people,” said Amanda Skinner, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Southern New England. “We are so fortunate to have champions like Gov. Malloy and Lt. Gov. Wyman here in Connecticut. We are thankful for their steadfast support, and make no mistake: this fight is far from over.”

Now is the time for every person who cares about women’s health and access to affordable quality care to speak out and join this fight. It’s clear the American people strongly oppose blocking people from going to Planned Parenthood for preventive care. Planned Parenthood grassroots organizing has been a driving force in opposing “Trumpcare” and efforts to “defund” Planned Parenthood. For months, an army of pink Planned Parenthood patients, supporters, and advocates have held protest rallies, spoken out at Congressional town halls, called their members of Congress, delivered petitions to Congressional offices, and hosted field hearings.

To fight back and get involved locally, visit ppsne.org; email [email protected]; or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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