Janice Schakowsky: “House Republicans have made their extreme agenda abundantly clear--undermine women's access to reproductive health care…”

“House Republicans have made their extreme agenda abundantly clear--undermine women's access to reproductive health care and attack the local women's health providers they rely on to provide cancer screenings, routine gynecological examinations, contraceptive services, immunizations, and testing and treatment for sexually-transmitted infections. One in five American women has received care from a Planned Parenthood health center at some point in her life, making it one of the largest women's health care providers in the country. Planned Parenthood clinics serve over 3 million Americans every year and plays a critical role in our Nation's health care system. The Republican budget would deny them any funding. Bonnie S. from Evanston, IL, wrote: ``I found myself without health care in my early twenties even though I was still working. I was in a committed, long-term relationship and needed birth control and a yearly pap smear. Planned Parenthood was my main healthcare provider for nearly ten years.'' ``I have only had one sexual partner in my life. I have never had an abortion. Without Planned Parenthood, I would not have been able to afford birth control and a yearly pap smear, things that no woman should have to go without. I'm sure there are many women out there with a story like mine. Stopping funding for Planned Parenthood would be a horrible thing.'' Lesley W.…”