CRR Calls on Congress to Reject Anti-Woman, Anti-Child, Anti-Health Budget Cuts
(PRESS RELEASE) Today, the Center for Reproductive Rights called on
lawmakers in both the House of Representatives and Senate to reject any
proposed budget cuts that would gut numerous programs that assist in providing
health services to poor women and their infants, pregnant women, and children.
The call to action comes after President Obama signed a stopgap spending
measure that will finance the government for two more weeks. Nancy Northup,
president of the Center for Reproductive Rights, issued this statement:
“Now that the threat of an immediate government shutdown is
gone, it’s time for the House majority to ditch the slash-and-burn campaign
against women and get real. Cutting funds for programs like Title X and
Maternal and Child Health Block Grants is more likely to jeopardize the health
of millions of women and their families than dent the deficit.
“Health centers funded by Title X, for example, provide
essential preventive services such as contraception, and screenings for cancer,
diabetes, and high blood pressure. What’s more, the program has proven to save
billions of dollars in public spending. In 2008 alone, the program helped
prevent millions of unintended pregnancies, resulting in $5 billion in cost
savings for federal and state governments. Planned Parenthood, also on the
chopping block, provides a range of critical reproductive health services to
millions of families.
“It’s outrageous that elected officials would target the
health of women and their children in the name of reducing the deficit.
Lawmakers who care about women’s rights and health must stand their ground.
American women will be watching.”