Planned Parenthood Slams White House On Proposed 'Gag Rule'

The Trump administration recently proposed a gag rule that would restrict federal funding to facilities that provide abortions or even give patients comprehensive information about their reproductive rights, but Planned Parenthood is fighting back.

"This is an attempt to take away women's basic rights, period. Under this rule, people will not get the health care they need," Dawn Laguens, executive vice president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, said in a statement to The Advocate. "They won't get birth control, cancer screenings, STD testing and treatment, or even general women's health exams."

The proposed measure would make it impossible for millions of patients to get the medical care Laugens mentioned from Planned Parenthood. It would also prevent health care workers from referring their patients to any facility that provides safe and legal abortions, even if they are the most affordable and accessible. It will also end the guarantee that medical providers give patients honest, thorough, and accurate information when advising them on their reproductive options.

"Everyone has the right to information about their health care -- including information about safe, legal abortion -- and every woman deserves the best medical care and information, no matter how much money she makes or where she lives. No matter what. They won't get it under this rule," Languens explains.

The Human Rights Campaign also spoke out against the news, noting how the gag rule would deeply hurt LGBT people.

"This is an unprecedented attack on millions of women and LGBTQ people who rely on health care facilities, including Planned Parenthood, for reproductive health care," David Stacy, HRC's government affairs director said in a statement. "The Trump-Pence Administration is once again attempting to undermine access to care for women and LGBTQ people, putting lives at risk."

He also noted that Planned Parenthood does 700,000 HIV tests a year.

"This proposed rule would help no one. It is a cynical political attack from a White House that has spent its time in office systematically eroding legal protections and essential services for vulnerable communities."

Laguens asserts that Planned Parenthood will continue to fight for reproductive justice: "Planned Parenthood will not stop fighting for our patients. We will not stand by while our basic health and rights are stripped away."