Planned Parenthood Federation of America President Cecile Richards’ Statement Opposing New Abortion Restrictions in the High-Risk Insurance Pools

“Planned Parenthood strongly opposes the new abortion restrictions announced today by the Obama administration in formal regulations issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This new policy will prohibit individuals from using their own private funds to purchase private health insurance coverage for abortion care in the new high-risk insurance pools, also known as the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plans (PCIP).

“The high-risk insurance pools are meant to provide access to health coverage for women and men with serious medical conditions, such as cancer, AIDS, and heart disease. These are the very women who are more likely to be subject to medically complicated pregnancies and in need of the full range of reproductive care, including abortion coverage. 

“We are disappointed that the administration has imposed this new abortion restriction in the high-risk insurance pools which will result in some of the most medically vulnerable women facing limited health care options at a time when they need them most.”

Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leading sexual and reproductive health care provider and advocate. We believe that everyone has the right to choose when or whether to have a child, and that every child should be wanted and loved. Planned Parenthood affiliates operate nearly 800 health centers nationwide, providing medical services and sexuality education for millions of women, men, and teenagers each year. We also work with allies worldwide to ensure that all women and men have the right and the means to meet their sexual and reproductive health care needs.