1. United States
2. N.Y.
3. Letter

I’m writing to urge you to stand up for health care access and oppose any attempt to “defund” Planned Parenthood in the reconciliation bill. As if it weren’t enough that this legislation could kick 10.3 million people off Medicaid, undermine care for seniors, and threaten the closure of rural hospitals, it also targets critical reproductive health care. The Energy and Commerce section of the bill would block Medicaid reimbursements to providers that offer abortion services—effectively defunding Planned Parenthood and stripping care from millions. This is a direct attack on essential health services like birth control, cancer screenings, STI testing and treatment, and general preventive care. Planned Parenthood serves more than 2 million people annually, and 64% of its health centers are in medically underserved or rural areas. For many patients, it’s their only option. Even some so-called moderate Republicans have voiced discomfort with this provision. Now is the time to hold them to their word. Congress should invest in health care—not take it away. I urge you to protect care at Planned Parenthood and oppose any attempt to strip Medicaid funding from providers who offer comprehensive reproductive care. Cuts to Medicaid and attempts to defund these clinics will leave countless people without care, especially those in low-income and rural communities. The result will be more suffering, more costs, and fewer options. Health care is not a political bargaining chip. Please stand up for the people who rely on Planned Parenthood and vote against any legislation that includes these attacks.