Blumenthal Visits Planned Parenthood to Vow Support for Women's Health Following GOP Attack

Press Release

U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) today visited Planned Parenthood of Southern New England's New Haven office to vow support for women's health following sustained GOP attacks.

Despite defeat in the U.S. Senate last week, Republican leaders have promised to continue efforts to defund Planned Parenthood into September, with some already stating they will shut down the government if they cannot defund women's health care.

During his visit, Blumenthal thanked the staff and medical professionals for their dedication and hard work during this period of ongoing attack.

"In my meeting today with the staff and medical professionals from Planned Parenthood, I was deeply inspired and impressed by their unwavering courage and unstinting compassion, and their determination to continue delivering health care to women who depend on them for cancer screenings, diagnostic tests, prenatal care and many other critical services. I stated my determination to redouble my fight against politically driven efforts to defund Planned Parenthood and deprive thousands of Connecticut women of such vital health care services. Although we have successfully defeated eight onslaughts against Planned Parenthood funding and women's health care over the last several years, the Senate's GOP leadership has indicated that this fight is far from over. I stand with Planned Parenthood and the women of Connecticut against political intrusion and interference in their personal health care services and choices," Blumenthal said.

This attack on Planned Parenthood directly threatens the health of tens of thousands of Connecticut women. Each year, 64,000 Connecticut women visit the 17 Planned Parenthood centers around the state, where they collectively receive more than 80,000 tests for sexually transmitted infections, more than 8,000 Pap tests and more than 3,000 breast cancer screenings.

Throughout his career, Blumenthal has fought vigorously to protect access to critical women's health services. As Senator, Blumenthal introduced the Women's Health Protection Act, a landmark piece of legislation intended to keep politicians out of personal health care decisions. The Women's Health Protection Act creates federal protections against state restrictions that fail to protect women's health and intrude upon personal, medical decision-making. It promotes and protects a woman's individual constitutional rights, no matter where she lives.

Source