Catholics Welcome Support for Planned Parenthood

Catholics for Choice applauds the recent guidelines issued by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which clarify current law that prohibits states from excluding qualified healthcare providers like Planned Parenthood from participating in the Medicaid program.

Recent months have shown us how antichoice zealots have been willing to contort laws to achieve their end of eliminating abortion for all women. When states try to block Planned Parenthood from participating in Medicaid, women suffer. These restrictions interfere with the conscience rights of poor women, who should be able to access the quality Medicaid healthcare provider of their choice. For many women, Planned Parenthood is that choice. The limitations states have tried to push through are political vendettas that severely limit access to reproductive healthcare and hurt women. They are part of an effort to chip away at Planned Parenthood’s ability to care for its patients.

“Our Catholic social justice tradition teaches that we are morally obligated to ensure that a vulnerable woman has the same access to healthcare services as a woman of means,” said Jon O’Brien, president of Catholics for Choice. “Everyday Catholics, activists and state lawmakers have told us how much they value Planned Parenthood’s work in their communities, which is why we have been organizing to show that Catholics stand with Planned Parenthood. Catholics know that Planned Parenthood provides essential care to the poorest among us. Planned Parenthood’s work is critical to the health of millions.”

Read Dear Planned Parenthood: Love Letters from Catholics, which features heartfelt messages thanking Planned Parenthood staff for the care they provide to women and men across the country.

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