One day after Republicans in Congress introduced legislation to repeal the Affordable Care Act, including a provision blocking millions of people from accessing birth control and cancer screenings through Planned Parenthood, supporters of the health care organization are organizing rallies outside Congressman Bruce Poliquin’s offices in Lewiston and Congresswoman Chellie Pingree’s office in Portland.
Hundred have already expressed interest in the events on Facebook (Portland, Lewiston).
“When elected leaders talking about ‘defunding’ Planned Parenthood, they are saying they want to block health care for thousands of Maine people who rely on Planned Parenthood for their primary care – including birth control, cancer screenings, and well-woman exams,” said Nicole Clegg, Vice President of Public Policy for the Planned Parenthood Maine Action Fund. “For many patients, Planned Parenthood is the only health care provider they see, and blocking them from coming to Planned Parenthood means they will have nowhere else to go. We cannot let that happen.”
Despite expressing support for the services Planned Parenthood provides, Congressman Poliquin has flipped and voted six times to “defund” the healthcare provider.
Congresswoman Pingree is a strong supporter of Planned Parenthood and recently visited the Portland health center to meet with patients and providers.
Pingree has already expressed opposition to the new health care cuts, saying the bill would “cost older Americans up to five times more than younger enrollees, charge the uninsured 30% more to buy coverage, defund Planned Parenthood, cut Medicaid significantly, and still has no price tag.”
Photo via Lauren Kennedy.