“Senate leaders dealt a shameful, painful blow to women’s health by voting to dismantle President Obama’s rule reinforcing Title X protections today. As the nation’s family planning program, Title X funds critical health care services for 4 million people – especially low-income, under-insured and uninsured individuals – so they can access family planning, cancer screenings, well-woman exams and screenings and treatment for sexually transmitted infections. Title X’s efficacy relies on its robust network of highly qualified health care providers.

Senators who voted to dismantle this rule today voted to encourage discrimination against health care providers and entities that offer the services people need in their own communities. Blocking access to these safety net health care providers will disproportionately harm people who already face systemic barriers to health care access, such as low-income communities and communities of color, and many will very likely go without the care they need.

This vote makes clear that, even after failing to destroy the Affordable Care Act, leaders in Congress will stop at nothing to cut off women’s access to essential health services. In fact, Senate leadership was forced to bring Vice President Pence to the floor to force a vote on this egregious bill. We urge President Trump not to sign this harmful legislation and instead, protect Title X and access to high-quality health care for millions.”