Corrected UHPP Response to Pence Vote

ALBANY, NY (02/18/2011)(readMedia)-- Note from UHPP Media Office:

Our apologies for the following errors in the previous release:

1. The Pence amendment to the continuing resolution which passed a short time ago bans all federal funding for Planned Parenthood, but does not de-fund all Title X family planning providers.

2. While we anticipate a vote later today on the continuing resolution that will include de-funding of Title X, that vote has not yet been taken.

3. While we expect that Paul Tonko has voted against the Pence amendment and Chris Gibson in favor, the votes have not yet been published.

CORRECTED PRESS STATEMENT

By Patricia McGeown, President/CEO, Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood

Just a short time ago, members of the House of Representatives voted to approve an amendment to the continuing budget resolution that would ban any federal funding from going to Planned Parenthood health centers for pregnancy testing, birth control counseling, etc. The outcome of this vote is not a complete surprise, but it is radically out of step with mainstream American values. The attack is also out of line with what voters expected of this Congress which was to address unemployment and the economy; not resume the culture wars.

The target of this legislation is the nation's 800 Planned Parenthood clinics, including those in the Capital Region. In attacking Planned Parenthood, the House Republican leadership has launched an assault on the millions of Americans who rely on Planned Parenthood for primary and preventive health care, including lifesaving breast and cervical cancer screenings, annual exams, birth control, HIV testing, and STI testing and treatment.

Here at Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood, we serve over 11,000 women and men each year at health centers located in Albany, Hudson and Troy. The majority of these patients have incomes below the federal poverty line and many of them see no other health care provider.

The majority of our clients come to UHPP either to obtain an effective form of birth control or to address an urgent health care need, such as possible sexually transmitted, bladder or urinary tract infections. While they are patients, many take advantage of our GYN exams and preventive screenings. Often, we uncover unexpected health risks that if left untreated would lead to more severe and costly problems.

The basis of these attacks rests in opposition to Planned Parenthood's provision of abortion services. Yet, abortion services represent only a minor portion of services provided at Planned Parenthood centers (12% at UHPP. The amendment to cut Planned Parenthood off from federal funding does nothing to reduce the deficit; it does nothing to improve the economy. In fact, health professionals will actually lose their jobs as a result. Most egregiously, it takes health care away from American women who cannot afford to pay for it on their own.

Planned Parenthood is a community-based provider of primary and preventive health care. Those who want to put Planned Parenthood out of business have not explained how the three million Americans currently served by Planned Parenthood's more than 800 health centers will get the health care they need if this dangerous policy becomes law.

It now falls to senators from both parties to join together to reject this extreme approach, restore common sense, and guarantee that Planned Parenthood and the millions of Americans who count on us for health care are protected. Ensuring that Planned Parenthood serves millions of women each year is what mainstream Americans want and expect from the United States Senate.

We urge local voters to contact your U.S. Senators. Call on Senators Gillibrand and Schumer to stand firm and work to defeat any bill that targets Planned Parenthood or women's health care.

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Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood (UHPP) is a community-based non-profit organization working to promote healthy sexuality and reproductive choice through exceptional services, honest education and fearless advocacy since 1934. In 2010, over 11,000 patients made just under 24,000 visits to UHPP health centers located in Albany, Hudson and Troy. UHPP health educators present over 350 education programs reaching over 4,800 youth and young adults. UHPP services are delivered with special concern for the underserved.