The fight to protect access to sexual and reproductive health care is taking place at the State House here in Massachusetts, on Capitol Hill, and in every state across the country. In order to defend reproductive rights, the Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund works with national organizations and local partners to ensure that women’s comprehensive health care needs are met.

The Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund focuses specifically on policy related to health care reform, family planning, abortion access, and sexuality education. Read our policy positions for more information on those topic areas. Below you’ll find information about national legislative priorities and PPAF’s role in defending reproductive rights.

• Sexual and Reproductive Health Care Access in Health Care Reform

National health care reform was a huge victory for women’s health but much work remains. Through the national and state regulatory and legislative processes, PPAF will continue its work to ensure that all women on public or private insurance plans will be able to access the care they need.  Read more about our position on Health Care Reform.

• Defunding Planned Parenthood: Rally in Boston

In spring 2011, conservative members of the U.S. House of Representatives championed an amendment to the national budget that would have defunded all Planned Parenthood health centers – causing a political battle that almost led to the shutdown of the national government. Fortunately, advocates from across the country helped defeat this extreme anti-women’s health measure. Here in Massachusetts, we held a “Defend, Don’t Defund” Rally that featured Congresswoman Niki Tsongas, Congressman Mike Capuano, Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll, and other advocacy groups. The rally drew over 600 Planned Parenthood supporters to the Boston Common to implore Senator Scott Brown to vote against defunding.

Advocacy work such as the rally in Boston – and the 1,000 petition postcards we sent Senator Brown - have proven successful: in a 58-42 vote, the U.S. Senate voted against the amendment to defund Planned Parenthood, and Senator Brown stood in support of Planned Parenthood and voted against defunding Planned Parenthood health centers.

The fight is not over, unfortunately.  In fact, similar tactics are expected during the debate of next year’s budget.  We will continue to defend funding for the essential health care and preventive services provided at Planned Parenthood health centers. Read more about our position on family planning and Title X.

• “Protect Life Act” (HR358)

Also known as the “Let Women Die” bill, HR 358 would allow hospitals to refuse abortion care, even if a woman’s life is in danger, among other devastating blows to women’s access to reproductive health care.  HR 358 was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives this October and could be voted on by the U.S. Senate, although they are expected to defeat this harmful measure and President Obama has indicated he would veto the measure.  

• “No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion” (HR 3)

Despite 2010 campaign promises of job creation, the U.S. House Republican leadership made restricting women’s health one of their first priorities when they attained control of the House in January 2011.  The true intent of HR 3 is to end insurance coverage for virtually all abortions, including private insurance coverage that Americans pay for with their own money.  If enacted into law, HR 3 would take health care coverage away from women and jeopardize the lives of women with life-threatening pregnancies.  HR 3 does not even make an exception for rape or incest.  Although the U.S. House of Representatives passed HR 3 on May 4th, 2011, the U.S. Senate has not indicated intentions to consider this proposal.