LOS ANGELES — In response to Thursday’s announcement by House Speaker Paul Ryan that he intends to target Planned Parenthood funding in his attempt to repeal the Affordable Care Act, Equality California (EQCA) Executive Director Rick Zbur issued the following statement:
“Equality California is calling on all members of the LGBT community and our allies to contact their members of Congress today to protect healthcare for LGBT people and all Americans provided through Planned Parenthood. Federal law already prohibits Planned Parenthood from using federal funds for abortion services. But Speaker Ryan’s plan endangers a vital health lifeline not only for women, but for tens of thousands of LGBT Californians and for hundreds of thousands of LGBT people across the country. Planned Parenthood offers transgender health services, lifesaving cancer screenings, STI testing and treatment, and sexual healthcare information and education, among other things. Planned Parenthood is a strong ally in the fight for full LGBT equality–including supporting the recently introduced federal Equality Act and other legislative priorities. Planned Parenthood also has joined Equality California in strongly advocating for comprehensive, LGBT-inclusive sex education for our nation’s young people.
Continued attacks on Planned Parenthood are especially baffling in light of polls showing that a solid majority of Americans support the organization and its work. We urge Congress to cease efforts to defund this critical healthcare resource that serves millions of Americans.
Equality California also is committed to defending the Affordable Care Act from repeal efforts. The ACA brings quality, affordable healthcare to millions of LGBT people, many of whom would otherwise lack access to coverage due to HIV status or preexisting conditions.”
