Pallone Stands with Planned Parenthood for Women’s Health Care

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 6, 2015



LONG BRANCH, NJ – Today, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) held a ‘Stand with Planned Parenthood’ press conference to call attention to the work they do for women’s health care and to combat partisan calls to defund the organization. Pallone is the Ranking Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which has jurisdiction over health care. Planned Parenthood, which provides life-saving preventative care for 2.7 million patients nationwide every year, has been under attack by Congressional Republicans based on unsubstantiated claims made against the women’s health organization. Last week, 151 House Republicans voted to shut the government down in order to defund Planned Parenthood.

“Planned Parenthood provides life-saving preventative care for millions of patients each year. Yet, Congressional Republicans’ obsession with demonizing the organization and denying women access to health care has reached a dangerous level,” said Congressman Pallone. “Instead of working to keep our country running, the majority of House Republicans voted for a government shutdown at the expense of women’s health. They have wasted my Committee’s time and resources attacking Planned Parenthood under the guise of an investigation, which has turned up zero evidence to substantiate their claims. But worse yet, they are threatening the health care that millions of women rely upon. More than 100,000 New Jersey residents are served each year by Planned Parenthood’s 26 health centers in our state, nine of which are located in Medically Underserved Areas. It is our responsibility to step up and stand with Planned Parenthood.”

Pallone was joined at the press conference in Perth Amboy by Elizabeth Talmont, Vice President of Research and Program Development, Planned Parenthood of Central and Greater Northern New Jersey.

“We at Planned Parenthood of Central and Greater Northern New Jersey are incredibly thankful for Congressman Pallone’s tireless support of women’s health,” said Elizabeth Talmont of Planned Parenthood of Central and Greater Northern New Jersey. “The Congressman understands the importance of the vital services Planned Parenthood provides, including lifesaving cancer screenings, affordable birth control, and testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections.”

As Breast Cancer Awareness Month begins, following Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, the need for vital life-saving cancer screenings, which Planned Parenthood provides, has been brought to the forefront.