WASHINGTON— U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) released the following statement after voting to eliminate Planned Parenthood’s federal funding and redistribute the money to state and local health departments, community health centers, and hospitals that provide women’s health care services:
“For the last 25 years, I’ve worked in public hospitals for the uninsured. As a practicing physician, one of the first things you’re taught in medical school is first do no harm. Tragically, these videos demonstrate that some do not share that perspective.
“When patients see their doctors, they want an honest, objective opinion. But the videos suggest that Planned Parenthood puts profit and special interests before the women who call on them for advice.
“Currently, Planned Parenthood gets $500 million in federal funding per year. If we redirect this funding to community health centers, women’s health can be better served. There are two Planned Parenthoods in Louisiana, and there’s more than 100 community health centers. The two Planned Parenthoods—one in New Orleans and one in Baton Rouge—serve only the southeastern portion of the state, while community health centers are scattered all over the state.
“Redistributing this funding and bringing it closer to where patients live can better ensure a patient’s access to care and address the troubling issues raised by these videos.”