Murphy Blasts Continued Assaults on Women's Health Care

Statement

Congressman Patrick E. Murphy (FL-18) made the following statement voicing his strong opposition to H.R. 3134, legislation that would defund Planned Parenthood. A vote on this partisan bill is expected in the House of Representatives tomorrow, with some Members of Congress threatening to shut down the federal government at the end of the month if Planned Parenthood continues to receive funding to provide health services to millions of women across the United States, including over 70,000 Floridians. Defunding Planned Parenthood would severely limit their preventative health services, including lifesaving cancer screenings, birth control, STI testing and treatment, and family planning.

"We cannot allow a handful of extremists to shut down the government -- or shut down women's access to vital health care services. The real victims of this latest attempt to restrict a woman's Constitutional right to choose are the thousands of mothers, daughters, sisters, and wives across Florida who have nowhere else to turn for preventative care. I stand with Planned Parenthood, its patients, and a majority of Americans in condemning these continued radical assaults on women's health care."

Murphy is a cosponsor of the Women's Health Protection Act, legislation that would help invalidate state laws that compromise women's access to safe, legal abortions and harm women's health.

Planned Parenthood in Florida:
Health Centers: 23
Total Patients: 70,438
Contraception Patients: 46,698
STI Tests: 61,051
Breast Exams: 16,583

Source