House Poised to Pass Anti-Woman, Anti-Child, Anti-Health Budget
(PRESS RELEASE) The House of
Representatives is poised to pass a Republican spending plan that cuts or
eliminates funding from numerous programs that assist in providing health
services to poor women and their infants, pregnant women, and children. Among others, the programs include Title X,
which supports low-cost family planning services that
would otherwise be out-of-reach for poor women, the Special Supplemental
Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) which provides food
assistance to low-income women and their babies, Maternal and Child Health
Block Grants which give low-income pregnant women, mothers and their children
access to healthcare. A vote is scheduled for later tonight. Nancy Northup, president of the Center for
Reproductive Rights, issued this response:
“The new House majority’s
month-long parade of anti-woman, anti-health, and anti-child proposals is the
most vicious attack on women’s health and rights in several decades. No pot has
been left un-emptied in women’s health services. The new House has targeted everything from birth
control to food assistance to abortion
coverage to poison
control centers to international family planning.
“Late today or tomorrow, millions
of families’ access to basic medical care will be officially on the chopping
block. If anti-choice politicians have their way, the House will vote to wipe
out funding for Title X and leave millions of poor families without access to
affordable preventive services such as contraception, screenings for high blood
pressure, diabetes or breast and cervical cancer, and pelvic exams. If
low-income women and men can’t afford these basic medical services then they
can’t prevent health issues before they occur. Federal funding for Planned
Parenthood is also on the line, pulling the rug out from under millions of
families who depend on them for essential healthcare.
“And it only gets even more
ruthless. The House budget also includes cuts that will take food from poor
women and their babies, pre-natal services from pregnant women, and pediatric
care from children.
“It is crystal clear that the new
House is aiming for women’s health and they’re taking no prisoners. It is now
up to the Senate and the White House to inject some humanity and common sense
into this debate, and stop the House cold in its tracks.”
