Doris Matsui: “I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to H.R. 3495. This bill is misleadingly…”

“I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to H.R. 3495. This bill is misleadingly named the Women's Public Health and Safety Act when, in fact, it puts women's and men's health at risk. This bill would allow States to block Planned Parenthood or any other health provider from Medicaid based on ``involvement in abortions.'' Now, millions of American women and men depend on Planned Parenthood for essential health care. The majority seems determined to take our Nation's healthcare system backwards. Planned Parenthood uses Medicaid funding to provide services like cancer screening, access to contraception, and pre-conception counseling that helps women prepare for healthy pregnancies. Members of Congress should stop attacking women's ability to control their own health care. This bill disproportionately impacts low-income women and families and unfairly takes away one of their healthcare options. Congress needs to get back to doing our job and stop this attack on women's health.”