Sherman Joins Friedman & Colleagues to Help Restore Planned Parenthood Medicaid Reimbursements

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Brad Sherman (CA-32) joined Representatives Laura Friedman (CA-30), Nikema Williams (GA-5), Chris Pappas (NH-1) in the House, alongside U.S. Senators Tina Smith (MN) and Patty Murray (WA) in the Senate, in helping to introduce the Restoring Essential Healthcare Act, a bicameral bill that repeals the newly enacted federal ban on Medicaid reimbursements to Planned Parenthood.

“Planned Parenthood is a cornerstone of healthcare in communities all across our nation and it's under direct attack. This bill will reverse a cruel, politically motivated ban on Medicaid payments that’s jeopardizing access to not just reproductive healthcare, but cancer screenings, birth control, STI testing, and more,” said Representative Friedman. “We’re fighting to ensure people can continue getting the essential care they count on, no matter who they are or where they live.”

"Republicans are trying to defund Planned Parenthood and rip away health care from millions," said Congressman Sherman. "I’m proud to join Rep. Friedman and my colleagues to help introduce the Restoring Essential Healthcare Act and reverse their cruel ban against essential care that millions rely on."

The ban on Medicaid reimbursements to Planned Parenthood could leave thousands of patients in every state with no place to seek essential reproductive care and other vital health services. Every year, Planned Parenthood provides healthcare to more than two million people, including STI testing, breast exams, birth control, HPV vaccines, and other critical services. 

The legislation strikes Section 71113 of Republicans’ “One, Big, Beautiful Bill,” which prohibits federal Medicaid payments to Planned Parenthood clinics that offer reproductive health care alongside other health care. The provision has already put nearly 200 Planned Parenthood clinics at risk of closure, endangering access to healthcare for more than two million patients across the country.

The Restoring Essential Healthcare Act has been endorsed by Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Center for Reproductive Rights, Reproductive Freedom Caucus, All* Above All, Guttmacher Institute, National Abortion Federation, National Asian Pacific American Women's Forum, National Council of Jewish Women, National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association, National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice, National Network of Abortion Funds, National Partnership for Women & Families, National Women's Law Center Action Fund, Reproductive Freedom for All, Physicians for Reproductive Health, Power to Decide.

There are 133 original cosponsors of the Restoring Essential Healthcare Act in the House, including Williams*, Pappas*, Amo, Auchincloss, Balint, Barragán, Bell, Beyer, Bonamici, Brownley, Budzinski, Carbajal, Carson, Carter, Case, Casten, Castor, Cherfilus-McCormick, Chu, Cisneros, Clarke, Cleaver, Cohen, Correa, Craig, Crockett, Davids, Davis, DeGette, DelBene, Deluzio, DeSaulnier, Dexter, Doggett, Elfreth, Escobar, Evans, Fletcher, Foushee, Frankel, Frost, Garamendi, Garcia (TX), Goldman, Goodlander, Gottheimer, Horsford, Houlahan, Hoyle, Huffman, Ivey, Jacobs, Jackson, Johnson (GA), Kamlager-Dove, Kaptur, Kelly, Kennedy, Khanna, Krishnamoorthi, Landsman, Larson, Lee (PA), Leger Fernandez, Levin, Liccardo, Lieu, Lofgren, Lynch, Mannion, Matsui, McBath, McBride, McClellan, McGovern, McIver, Meeks, Menendez, Meng, Min, Moore, Morelle, Morrison, Moulton, Mullin, Nadler, Norton, Olszewski, Panetta, Pelosi, Peters, Pettersen, Pingree, Pocan, Pou, Quigley, Ramirez, Randall, Raskin, Ross, Ryan, Salinas, Scanlon, Schakowsky, Schneider, Sewell, Sherman, Sherrill, Simon, Sorensen, Soto, Stansbury, Stanton, Stevens, Strickland, Sykes, Takano, Thanedar, Thompson (CA), Titus, Tlaib, Tokuda, Tonko, Torres (NY), Torres (CA), Trahan, Underwood, Veasey, Velázquez, Wasserman Schultz, Waters, Watson Coleman, Wilson.

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