Representative Ami Bera warns that proposed cuts to Planned Parenthood could significantly harm healthcare access for over a million Americans, particularly in rural areas.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative Ami Bera (D-CA), a physician, recently joined fellow members of the Democratic Doctors Caucus and Planned Parenthood Federation of America CEO Alexis McGill Johnson to voice their concerns regarding cuts to Medicaid proposed by Republican lawmakers.
The group highlighted a provision within a law signed by former President Donald Trump, referred to as the “Big, Ugly Bill.” This provision aims to block Medicaid patients from accessing care at Planned Parenthood facilities, a move that could have dire consequences for healthcare access across the country.
Currently, this provision has been temporarily halted by the courts. However, if implemented, it could lead to the closure of up to 200 health centers, jeopardizing care for approximately 1.1 million Medicaid patients who rely on these services.
Bera emphasized that Planned Parenthood offers a wide range of healthcare services that extend beyond reproductive health. “In many communities across this country, they’re the sole provider of primary care services to women and men,” he stated. He pointed out that in rural and underserved areas, these centers often serve as the only source for essential healthcare services, including cancer screenings, STI testing, and chronic disease management.
<p“The impact of Donald Trump’s bill is clear: it takes away primary services and community health center resources from many Americans, particularly those in rural America,” Bera added. He accused Republican lawmakers of deliberately targeting these critical healthcare services.
Bera concluded by reaffirming the commitment of Democratic doctors to oppose these cuts and hold Republicans accountable for their actions, emphasizing the importance of maintaining access to healthcare for all Americans.
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