Quigley Highlights Importance of Women's Reproductive Health

Press Release

Today, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05), a member of the Congressional Pro-Choice Caucus, visited a Planned Parenthood health center in the Wicker Park neighborhood of Chicago. He joined Planned Parenthood of Illinois leadership to discuss the many critical health services provided by the facility, including cervical cancer screenings in light of September being National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.

"Health care facilities like Planned Parenthood are working hard to provide both men and women with access to comprehensive, preventative and affordable health care in the city of Chicago and across the nation," said Rep. Quigley. "Seeing firsthand the essential services these centers provide, like cervical cancer screenings, highlights just how important it is to adequately fund and support these organizations. The essential work they do is even more apparent this month, which is National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. Planned Parenthood and women's access to health care has been under constant attack from lawmakers who are putting politics ahead of the reproductive rights of women. I'm proud to stand with Planned Parenthood today and every day."

"We are honored to have Re. Quigley with us today to highlight the importance of access to the full range of reproductive health services, including cancer screenings," said Linda Diamond Shapiro, Planned Parenthood of Illinois Interim CEO. "Rep. Quigley has always been an unwavering champion and we are proud to have him in our corner."

During the visit, Rep. Quigley learned about the health care services provided at the busy Wicker Park health center location. He toured an exam room, laboratory and colposcopy room. Much of the visit focused on the many women's health services that the Wicker Park health center provides including breast exams, cervical cancer screenings, mammogram referrals, Pap tests and more. Rep. Quigley also discussed the proposed rule by the Obama Administration to protect Title X funding, as well as the different payer mix that the Wicker Park health center experiences.

Rep. Quigley was joined by Linda Diamond Shapiro, Interim CEO of Planned Parenthood of Illinois; Liz Higgins, Associate Medical Director; Cristina Parks, Wicker Park Health Center Manager; Haydee Ramos, Regional Director and Julie Lynn, Manager of External Affairs.

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