Repealing Affordable Care Act, Defunding Planned Parenthood Will Harm Millions of Women

Washington, DC – Congresswoman Diana DeGette (D-CO), co-chair of the Congressional Pro-Choice Caucus, was joined today by a group of congressional and women's health leaders to discuss threats facing women under a Trump Administration and Republican Congress, especially a repeal of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

"We're here to take a stand for women, in every state across this country, who are deeply concerned about the Republican leadership's reckless plans to repeal the Affordable Care Act and send insurance markets into chaos," DeGette said. "The bottom line is that the Republican leadership is making no promises that they will protect women against abusive and discriminatory practices by the insurance industry. "

Accompanying DeGette were fellow Co-chair Louise Slaughter (D-NY), Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, NARAL Pro-Choice America President Ilyse Hogue and Planned Parenthood Federation of America President Cecile Richards, who spoke on the many ways repealing the ACA will hurt American women by reviving policies that denied them affordable and fair coverage.

The group warned that many of the insurance industry's unfair pre-ACA practices could be brought back after repeal, including charging some women double what men are charged for identical care, arbitrarily denying women coverage, not offering cost-sharing for birth control and preventive services, and denying maternal and newborn care services.

DeGette also condemned the plan by Republican members of Congress to defund Planned Parenthood as part of their reckless effort to repeal the ACA. House Speaker Paul Ryan confirmed today that a measure to defund Planned Parenthood will be included in the Republicans' reconciliation package along with language for the ACA repeal.

"If Republicans go through with this plan, they should know what they're doing," DeGette said. "Repealing the ACA would rip health insurance coverage away from as many as 30 million people. The law ensures women have access to services they need, including contraception, maternity care and preventive screening for breast and cervical cancer. And Planned Parenthood health centers provide these screenings along with high-quality primary care for millions of patients. This is no mere symbolic vote or political statement. It's a disservice to Americans and a disgrace."