January 7, 2016

PLANNED PARENTHOOD ACTION FUND TO ENDORSE 
HILLARY CLINTON

First Time in Organization’s History it has Endorsed in a Presidential Primary

Washington, DC --- Planned Parenthood Action Fund announced today that it will endorse Hillary Clinton for President of the United States — marking the first time in the organization’s history that it has endorsed a candidate in a presidential primary.

The official endorsement announcement will be made Sunday, January 10, in Manchester, NH — in a room full of Planned Parenthood Action Fund members and supporters. The event will also mark the kickoff of the Planned Parenthood Action Fund’s 2016 electoral program. Planned Parenthood advocacy and political organizations have plans to spend at least $20 million in the upcoming election cycle, and will target key states in the Presidential and Senate races such as New Hampshire, Wisconsin, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Nevada.

The 2016 Presidential Race has already seen women’s health and Planned Parenthood become a touchstone issue — with every single GOP candidate pushing dangerous policies that would block patients from accessing care at Planned Parenthood — which would disproportionately impact low income women and women of color, ban safe, legal abortion — in some cases with zero exceptions — and roll back insurance coverage of birth control. The 114th Congress has thus far taken 20 votes to restrict women’s health care— eight of which were to specifically block low-income patients from accessing care at Planned Parenthood health centers, the last of which put a bill “defunding” Planned Parenthood on the President’s desk.

Quote from Cecile Richards, President of Planned Parenthood Action Fund

“Let’s be clear — reproductive rights and health are on the ballot in 2016. It is unthinkable that our daughters and granddaughters would have fewer rights than my generation did, yet every single GOP candidate for president wants to erase decades of progress for women — pledging to cut access to Planned Parenthood, ban safe, legal abortion, and block health insurance coverage for birth control.”

“We're proud to endorse Hillary Clinton for President of the United States. No other candidate in our nation’s history has demonstrated such a strong commitment to women or such a clear record on behalf of women’s health and rights. This is about so much more than Planned Parenthood. Health care for an entire generation is at stake.”

National and local Planned Parenthood advocacy and political organizations represent millions of people across the country —particularly young women and men, low-income women, the LGBT community, and communities of color — who are hit the hardest by recent attacks on reproductive health care.

Millions of Americans rely on Planned Parenthood for essential reproductive health care; millions of women access birth control through their health insurance; and close to a third of women will have an abortion in her lifetime. Every single Republican candidate has pledged to restrict access to all three.

Poll after poll has shown that the current GOP presidential field is out of touch with what everyday Americans’ lives are like — and is too extreme for the American people.

The Planned Parenthood Action Fund first adopted its endorsement process in March of 2002, and made its first Presidential endorsement in support of John Kerry in 2004. The Action Fund also endorsed President Barack Obama in the 2008 and 2012 general elections. Planned Parenthood Action Fund does outreach to all presidential candidates from both parties in the endorsement process.

Prior to the endorsement, the Planned Parenthood Action Fund held grassroots forums across the country where volunteers and supporters came together to discuss which issues impacted them most in their everyday lives. The forums saw a young, energized, diverse base of Planned Parenthood patients and supporters who are ready to fight back against attacks on women’s health.

Secretary Clinton has helped move the country forward on these issues — as First Lady, as Senator, as Secretary of State — and she will keep moving us forward as President.

• Hillary Clinton has taken every opportunity to speak out in support of Planned Parenthood, including dozens of shout-outs on the campaign trail. She's been in Planned Parenthood’s corner more than any other presidential candidate.

• As Senator, Hillary Clinton introduced 8 pieces of legislation with the clear purpose of expanding and protecting women’s access to reproductive health care — more than any other presidential candidate.

• Hillary Clinton chaired the 1993 task force that created the first plan for health care reform and testified on it before Congress — an unprecedented move by a presidential spouse.

• Hillary Clinton helped launch the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy. Teen birth rates are now at a 40-year low.

• Hillary Clinton introduced the Paycheck Fairness Act ​in 2005, 2007 and 2009. No other presidential candidate has introduced equal pay legislation.

• Hillary Clinton waged a multi-year effort​ with Sen. Patty Murray — and even blocked the nomination of an FDA head — to pass the law that made emergency contraception available over-the-counter.

• Hillary Clinton would build on the Affordable Care Act, which has helped nearly 8.2 million adult women gain health coverage. This has been especially important for women of color, who accounted for 53.2 percent of uninsured women before the law went into effect.

Planned Parenthood Action Fund is an independent, nonpartisan, not-for-profit membership organization formed as the advocacy and political arm of Planned Parenthood Federation of America. The Action Fund engages in educational and electoral activity, including voter education, grassroots organizing, and legislative advocacy.

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Hillary for America
January 7, 2016

Hillary Clinton Statement on Endorsement of Planned Parenthood Action Fund

Hillary Clinton released the following statement in response to earning the endorsement of the Planned Parenthood Action Fund:
 
“As a lifelong Planned Parenthood supporter, I’m honored to have the endorsement of the Planned Parenthood Action Fund.  There has never been a more important election when it comes to women’s health and reproductive rights—and Planned Parenthood’s patients, providers, and advocates across the country are a crucial line of defense against the dangerous agenda being advanced by every Republican candidate for president.
 
“This week was a jarring reminder of what’s at stake in 2016.  For the first time ever, the United States House and Senate passed a bill to defund Planned Parenthood and repeal the Affordable Care Act.  Thankfully, President Obama will exercise his veto power to stop the Republicans from cutting off women, men, and young people from vital health care services at Planned Parenthood—including cancer screenings, well-woman exams, and STI and HIV tests—and taking away health coverage from 18 million people.  Any of the Republican candidates will proudly sign that bill into law if they win.  We can’t let that happen.
 
“We need a president who has what it takes to stop Republicans from defunding Planned Parenthood and taking away a woman’s right to basic health care.  If I’m elected, I will be that president.  I’ve fought for women and families my entire life, and I refuse to let anyone rip away the progress we’ve made.  I will defend against attacks on reproductive health care, and protect access to affordable contraception and safe and legal abortion across the country.  I will fight to ensure access to reproductive health care regardless of income, national origin, race, or ZIP code.  And I will be a champion for women and families—just as Planned Parenthood has been for nearly a century.”