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Tuesday, May 22, 2018

A call for action from Planned Parenthood

Fight Trump’s “Gag Rule”
Dawn Laguens, Planned Parenthood Federation of America

Image result for gag ruleDonald Trump is preparing to push a "gag rule" — his most dangerous attack on women's basic rights, ever.

It's a cruel policy designed to keep people from having access to the best health care available, and will mean people won't get the information, birth control, cancer screenings, STD testing and treatment, and other care they need.


The administration's gag rule includes two unprecedented attacks on patients and doctors:

First, doctors and nurses across the country are forbidden from referring patients for abortion. Even if someone asks for information, even if their health is at risk, even if a safe and legal abortion is their best option.

Second, there's no guarantee that you're getting full and accurate information about your health care. If someone discovers they're pregnant after being diagnosed with cancer, for example, their health care provider may not tell them that abortion is even an option.


This rule is designed to block access to preventive care at Planned Parenthood health centers, which serve more than 40% of the four million patients who rely on Title X (the nation's program for affordable birth control and reproductive health care). 

We need to show just how many people oppose this dangerous policy — and right now is our chance. The administration will be accepting comments, and every single one of them matters.


No policy this extreme has ever been implemented in the United States before — and the consequences could be devastating. 

Since Planned Parenthood health centers serve over 40% of Title X patients, many patients — a significant number of whom are people of color — would be cut off from care.

We can't let that happen.


We've seen this scheme before. Last year, Trump and other lawmakers gave an ultimatum: stop providing abortions or we'll get Congress to block access to care at Planned Parenthood health centers.

Our answer now is the same as it was then: NO WAY. Abortion is a legal right and an essential health care service. One in four women in this country will have had an abortion by the age of 45, and nobody should be shamed or stigmatized by politicians (or anyone!) for getting the care they need.

And let's be clear: Title X does not cover abortion services, and the law already prohibits federal funds from covering abortion. Instead what this rule will do is restrict people's ability to access basic preventive care.

We're not backing down, but that means we need you with us.

Submit your name now and raise your voice to stand strong against any attempts to pass a "gag rule" on the Title X family planning program.