Why I stand with Planned Parenthood
I ran for office to stand against injustice and serve as a voice for anyone whose voices go unheard by their elected leaders. It is why I have supported budgets that support women and working families and sponsored and supported legislation to advance pay equity in Illinois. These issues are personal to me. As a mother of two young daughters, I want to make sure they grow up to be strong and independent.
Today in Springfield and Washington, we are having critical debates about the rights and health care decisions of women, and more importantly, how we will treat women in our public policy. A resolution President Trump signed in April behind closed doors threatens access to birth control for four million people across the country dependent on family planning programs. Last month, House Republicans in Congress supported legislation that will leave millions without insurance coverage and block women from going to Planned Parenthood for care.
At their core, these attacks on Planned Parenthood are not really about this important organization. They're about hurting the tens of thousands of Illinoisans who rely on Planned Parenthood for their health care needs, from birth control to cancer screenings. For many Illinois women, this is the only health provider they see all year.
Millions around the country are standing up and speaking out because we know the critical role Planned Parenthood plays in women's health. Planned Parenthood health centers serve more than 30 percent of the population who need family planning care at safety net centers. For so many, this care is more than just a safety net - and cutting women off from their trusted health care provider will have devastating results.
Generations of both men and women have worked hard and have fought for women's rights over the years. Planned Parenthood has provided quality reproductive health care for 100 years, and we need to hold our elected officials accountable to protect providers and give so many families the care they need. I am proud to stand with Planned Parenthood and the many Illinois women and families they help.
State Rep. Anna Moeller
Elgin